Pakistan seeks $11 bn Chinese help to overcome energy crisis

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

http://images.thenews.com.pk/08-05-2012/ethenews/t-14434.htm

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani on Monday sought Chinese technical and more than $11 billion financial assistance in executing 19 energy related crucial projects and remove bottlenecks in them that are causing delay in their completion.

Pak-China two-day Joint Energy Working Group (JEWG) meeting that opened here on Monday discussed these projects and discussed its financial and technical aspects and the impediments in its execution as to overcome the worst energy crisis in Pakistan.

The 28-member high-powered Chinese delegation will be headed by Mr Wu Hui while Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar will represent Pakistani side. This is second meeting of JEWG. Previous meeting was held in Beijing last year in July.

 
Syed Naveed Qamar said that with the Chinese support, Pakistan will make all out efforts to end the energy crisis in Pakistan that is taking away a large portion of the countryís gross domestic product (GDP) every year. During the meeting Pakistan pitched key projects including Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, Kohala Hydropower Project, Bunji Hydropower Project, Suki Kinari Hydropower Project, Diamer Basha Hydropower Project, Nandipur Combined Cycle Thermal Power Project, Chichoki Mallian Combined Cycle Thermal Power Project, Suki Kinari Hydropower Project, and Kotli Hydropower Project.

Other projects were discussed including 500 KV Transmission Line for evacuation of power from 747 MW Guddu Power Project, 220 KV Transmission line to transmit power from 404 MW UCH- II Thermal Power Project, 500 KV Transmission Line Project for dispersal of power from Sindh Engro Thar Coal Power Project, 500 KV Transmission Line Project for Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, 500 KV Transmission Line Project for evacuation of power from Tarbela Hydropower Fourth Extension Project.

Besides, mapping of renewable energy resources (such as wind, solar, biomass, waste, geothermal, small and micro hydel projects) in some geographical areas of Pakistan, technology transfer for wind and other renewable energy projects, support, technology transfer, standardization, of off-grid and decentralized renewable energy applications and geothermal mapping of Pakistan, and the Geological Survey of Pakistanís project to geologically map Pak-China border areas were also discussed.

The minister said that with the completion of these projects, energy crisis would end as it will also fulfill our future requirements. Pakistan and China are enjoying time tested relations and Pakistan always feels proud of friendship of China. He said China always supported Pakistan and also wants to extend cooperation in the energy sector.

The meeting with the stakeholders of the visiting delegation will also continue on Tuesday (today). An official told The News that they are very much optimistic and the Chinese side has assured them that a good workable plan will be finalized to speed up work on the projects that will benefit both the sides.