ATTOCK, July 26: The first 290 megawatt unit of Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project (GBHP) is undergoing reliability power generation tests for four to six hours daily prior to its coming into full operation on August 14. The unit has so far contributed around 1,500MW electricity to the national grid.

Wapda sources said the first complete power generation test of the unit was carried out on June 17 that generated around 50MW electricity. The Authority kept its going into operation a low-key affair, fearing any teething problems might beset it. However, the whole affair went smoothly, the sources added.

The control room and other operative structures are nearing completion.

The project after its completion will be handed over to the power wing. The remaining four power units would be added every quarter and within a year all the five units would be contributing 1,450MW to the national grid.

Ghazi Barotha Power Project is the first major hydropower project since the commissioning of the Tarbela Dam way back in 1976. Though the 184MW Chashma Power Project came online in February 2001, it was much small compared with the GBHP.