The U.S. Agency for International Development has awarded a US$5.9 million contract to Mott MacDonald Inc. to perform a technical engineering review and upgrade plans for Pakistan’s proposed 4,500-MW Diamer Bhasha hydropower project.
USAID most recently sought bids for the work this past October for work that includes technical assessments, review and upgrades of the engineering design, cost estimates and documentation.
USAID has pledged $200 million toward development of Diamer Basha, with funds to be used for assessment of environmental and social effects of the proposed project as well as preparation of a financial package. The project is to include a 272-meter-tall roller-compacted-concrete dam, two diversion tunnels, two underground powerhouses of 2,250 MW each, a permanent access bridge, and hydro-mechanical and steel structural equipment. The plant is to be located on the Indus River.
