AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Islamabad, January 08, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muahmmad Asif met the Vice-Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, Mr. Zhang Xiao Qiang today and discussed with him various energy projects and the outcome of the deliberations of Joint Energy Working Group meeting with NEA and various Chinese power companies in Beijing in the past two days, says a press release received from Beijing.
During the meeting, Khawaja Asif highlighted present government’s efforts for generating affordable energy to meet the country’s rising power demand through various projects by utilizing coal, as well as hydel, solar and wind power. The Minister emphasized that in addition to enhancing power generation capacity there was a need for upgradation and expansion of transmission networks in the country.
He said that the new transmission lines were needed to evacuate energy not only from conventional electricity sources, but also from renewable wind and solar farms. He sought Chinese government’s assistance for upgradation and development of transmission lines that may cost 6 billion dollars, according to one estimate. Minister for Water and Power thanked the Chinese government for their assistance and support in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs and for funding different projects in Pakistan.
The Minister said that power generation in Thar will be carried out with indigenous coal, while in the Gaddani Power Park comprising ten units of 660 MW each, imported coal will be used. A jetty will also be built for which several Chinese and other companies have evinced interest.
The minister talked about solar and wind energy and said that there were wind corridors in Sindh and Baluchistan which were ideal for such plants. The minister said that four more blocks were also on offer for auction in Thar. The Minister also briefed him on the solar power park being established in Punjab.
Speaking on the occasion Zhang Xiao Qiang said that during visit to Pakistan last August, he had met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and also the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Professor Ahsan Iqbal and held useful exchange of views on power and energy projects under the frame work of the Economic Corridor.
He lauded the efforts of the government of Pakistan to address energy problem on short term, medium term and long term basis. Zhang Xiao Qiang said that Gaddani Power Park with ten units of 660 MW each has the potential to solve Pakistan’s energy needs in a short time.
He assured Chinese help for power and energy projects under the frame work of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor. The minister discussed various ongoing and future energy projects especially Bhasha, Dasu and Bunji dams with Mr Zhang with a view to solicit Chinese help in coping with severe energy shortfall.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that relevant working groups on energy, transportation, infrastructure and planning constituted to implement the corridor project were meeting to lay out a long term blue print and that the next meeting of the high level task force will be held shortly.
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