LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) commenced on Wednesday the evaluation process for the bids submitted to it separately by two Chinese-led joint ventures for the construction of the part of the much-awaited Diamer-Basha Project.
“Finally we have begun process for evaluating technical bids of the JVs. We hope to complete this period as soon as possible,” Wapda Chairman Lt General (retired) Muzammil Hussain told Dawn.
Wapda authorities received technical and financial bids from the JVs, comprising one foreign and one local firm each. These JVs include China Gezhouba Group Company — GRC JV and Power Construction Corporation of China — FWO JV.
The technical bids opened in the presence of the representatives will be evaluated in accordance with the bidding documents and the relevant procurement rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).
“Since we have begun the evaluation process after receiving technical and financial bids from the aforementioned JVs till 11:00am on Wednesday, we plan to award the project to the successful bidder by end (December) of this year or early (January), next year,” an official source in Wapda, who requested anonymity, told Dawn when contacted.
Wapda, in pursuance to the judgment of the Supreme Court and priority of the federal government, has been implementing Diamer-Basha and Mohmand Dam Hydropower projects. Construction work on Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project started in May this year, while work on Diamer-Basha it is likely to be initiated soon.
Construction of Diamer Basha dam project has been divided into two parts; the dam part and the power generation facilities. It will be constructed across River Indus about 40 km downstream of Chillas Town.
It is a multi-purpose project, aiming at water storage, flood mitigation and power generation. The project will have a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre feet (MAF) and installed power generation capacity of 4,500 megawatt.
“Since the Diamer Basha and Mohamand dam projects are on our top priority, we want their completion within the stipulated time-frame,” the Wapda chairman said.
Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2019
