How do the Mangla Dam and Tarbela Dam generate hydroelectric power?

The Mangla and Tarbela dams generate hydroelectric power by harnessing the potential energy of stored water, a process common to large-scale hydroelectric power facilities.1

At these sites, water is impounded in a reservoir at a high elevation. To generate electricity, this water is directed downward through large pipes or tunnels known as penstocks. The vertical distance the water travels, referred to as the head, allows the water to gain kinetic energy. As the water reaches the bottom of the penstocks, it flows through turbines, causing them to rotate. These spinning turbines are connected to generators, which convert the mechanical energy into electricity. Finally, transformers increase the voltage for efficient long-distance transmission to the power grid.1

Both the Tarbela Dam and the Mangla Dam serve as critical components of Pakistan's energy infrastructure, with ongoing modernization projects aimed at increasing their total generation capacity.23