Pakistan’s Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project has reached a pivotal stage with the successful completion of the powerhouse main slope excavation and associated reinforcement works as of April 2025. This accomplishment enables the project to transition into full-scale construction of the concrete powerhouse, a vital element of the initiative. Executed under complex geological conditions, the excavation phase demanded meticulous coordination between design and construction teams to address significant technical challenges.
Originally projected to involve the removal of 832,000 cubic meters of rock, the excavation scope expanded to 1.68 million cubic meters due to unforeseen subsurface complexities, necessitating real-time design modifications. The 150-meter-high excavated slope required extensive reinforcement, including the installation of over 76,000 meters of tendon anchors—far exceeding the initially planned 800 meters—to ensure structural stability.
China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), spearheaded the project, employing a collaborative “design, optimization, and construction” strategy to adapt techniques amid evolving ground conditions. A CGGC representative stated, “By integrating dynamic engineering solutions and stringent safety protocols, we ensured compliance with global quality benchmarks while maintaining efficiency.”
Situated on the Swat River, approximately 48 kilometers from Peshawar, the multipurpose concrete-faced rockfill dam aims to generate 1,300 MW of electricity, bolster water storage capacity by 1.293 million acre-feet (MAF), and supply 13.32 cubic meters of clean drinking water daily to Peshawar residents. Additionally, the project is expected to enhance regional food security and create over 6,000 direct employment opportunities for local communities.
With the excavation phase now complete, focus shifts to advancing the dam’s concrete structure, marking steady progress toward operationalizing one of Pakistan’s most transformative infrastructure developments.