U.S., June 19 -- Mott MacDonald has been appointed as lead consultant for the Tarbela 5th Extension hydropower project in Pakistan.

The project, being delivered by the Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan, will increase the Tarbela Power Plant's total generating capacity from 4888mw to 6300mw. The appointment follows the successful commissioning of Tarbela 4, where Mott MacDonald was also lead consultant.

Tarbela power station, situated below the largest earth-filled dam in the world, has been steadily developed since it was originally commissioned in 1976. The aim of the extension is to increase seasonal power supply in Pakistan to meet increasing demand for electricity.

The project incorporates a new 1410mw hydropower pl...