ISLAMABAD: Chinese government on Thursday approved the immediate execution of 14 power projects that will generate upto 10,400 megawatts (MW) of electricity, work on which will be started immediately and put into operation by the year 2017-2018.
Congratulating his energy and economic team on approval of the Chinese government for constructing 14 power projects, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that this gesture of the Chinese government manifests the deep cordial relations the country has with Pakistan as well as showing the confidence of the international community in the policies of government.
Expressing his pleasure over the fact that Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) that Pakistan had signed with China in the recent past are now being translated into on-ground projects, the premier expressed the confidence that this massive addition to the power sector of the country would prove immensely beneficial in overcoming electricity shortage.
Nawaz said that the move is a part of the government’s energy road map which aims at ensuring provision of cost effective electricity to the masses.
Our desire and focus is on removing unemployment, eliminating power shortage and bringing economic prosperity and we will stay the course, said premier.
The projects that were approved for the immediate execution by the Chinese government include:
1. Port Qasim (Coal Fired) 1320 MW
2. Sukki Kanari (Hydropower) 870 MW
3. Sahiwal (Coal Fired) 1320 MW
4. Engro Thar (Coal Fired- Mining of Block 2) 660 MW
5. Muzafargarh (Coal Fired) 1320 MW
6. Gwadar (Coal fired) 300 MW
7. Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park (Cholistan) 1000 MW
8. United Energy (Wind power, Karachi) 100 MW
9. Dawood (Wind power, Karachi) 50 MW
10. Sachal (Wind power) 50 MW
11. Sunnec (Wind power) 50 MW
12. Rahimyar Khan (Coal fired) 1320 MW
13. SSRL Thar (Coal fired) 1320 MW
14. Karot (Hydropower) 720 MW
In addition to above mentioned power projects, a few other power generation projects totaling to 6,445 MW which would be completed in the second phase on fast track basis.
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All these plants will also creat polution,lots of ashes and above all consuming foreign coals not a pakistani coal.
This forign coal will make a per unit terrif above Rs 20/Unit and the people of pakistan will received electricity between 22~25 Rupees/units as compare to hydal electricity whioch hardly 2 rupees per unit keeping in view of construction of kala bagh dam.
three chee for civil govt
Mr. Nawaz Sharif is doing an excellent job and he should be given a full chance
@Zain: All these projects are based on imported coal. these plants cannot consume Pakistani coal. All these projects if materialize will consume 4 million tonnes of coal annually and produce 1.5 million tonnes of ash. Fertile lands of sahiwal will turn into a heap of ash in the next few years.
Pakistan good friend of china, china help friend not with condition like USA, we help N. korea no condition because they our fliend like pakistan. pakistan good food, godd mountains, good woman we china like all.
@Rias Wado: Perhaps you are way too loyal a jiyala. Please recall all these projects were actually initiated by Quaid-e-Azam in 1947 :) 21 Guns Salute to the distracting pseudo-intellectuals.
This is only a photo Op, these projects have been in pipeline for sometime. They were initiated in PPP Govt and relation with China was estblished by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Also only because of the project started by Benazir Govt you are still using the power in pakistan otherwise it would have been no electricity. PMLn has given only nadipur power project.
@Lahori: FYI, for France, the vast majority of electrical production is by Nuclear! FYI, for UK, coal is second to natural gas for electrical production!
What is the energy source to run these power plants? Where is the capital for these going to come from?
Countries such as Pakistan and other south Asian countries should focus on solar power plants. Solar power is benign on the environment and free; of course, there is a large upfront cost of the plant.
Most of the projects are already started why ET is publishing such fake news to please someone.
well some one notice all these plants are to be constructed in sindh and by the leader of Punjab now want to hear a word from those who all ways criticise Punjabis tell me single big project started by sindhi government from last 6 years for thier own people
Let Mr Qadri work on one of the plant. This way he will do some constructive work as a Canadian citizen.only condition from me is ,he has to release his last ten yrs tax return to get this job at the plant.
I think before all this, govt needs to explain the failure of Nandipur power plant, which produces electricity @ Rs.42 / unit
Cholistan Solar Power Park? ROFL but this was supposed to be built by another Chinese Company 'TBEA'. This news item from Aug 2013 exposes the tall claims - same stuff copy pasted in August 2014 :) Salute to PMLN's 30-year experience in fooling people :)
I wish the work on Economic Corridor be started as soon as possible. It will bring prosperity to Pakistan. The powers against Pakistan’s progress are using the so-called self proclaimed leaders.
It hurts you to see the energy problems being solved does it? Well done Nawaz Sharif. At least we have one leader who is worrying about improving Pakistan instead of needless demonstrations and drama.
Looks like a propaganda piece planted by govt rather than written by independent journalist. Nowhere in the article does it mention cost or whether the deals are fair/just/equitable. Doesn't mention who's going to pay or how it's going to impact electricity rates. ET can/should do better.
Same amount of projects were started by Benazir and till today we are not able to pay those IPP's. It is not just about producing something, it is about what rate and terms and conditions have been decided.
Good. PTI, keep pressure on pmln
@Jafri: Feasibility reports and cost estimates of all of these projects were done a while back. This is capital cost financing deal signing ceremony. For the hydropower projects, you can find the cost estimates from WAPDA's website, and for the others, from the BoI and PC websites. Coal projects will wpork under the upfront tariff scheme. Tariff is available at NEPRA website. It is 1/3rd of HSD.
Useless projects if it was PTI or PAT Govt we will be able to make energy ....from water....and distribute it for free!
Wow. Well done. This is big step towards recovery. It's always refreshing to see Asian countries co-operating to build each others infrastructure.
Pakistan only needs such kind of such business, power and infrastructure projects. Only and Only PLMN could do it bcz of their experience in Politics. They are business type in nature and also investors trust them more than anyone else. Really appreciate it. Others are just trying to refill there accounts. (y)
Congratulations to people of Pakistan....hopefully such programmes will take us out of dark days and bring economic prosperity.
Well done PMLN....If NS continues working like this will be Inshallah elected PM in 2018 elections as well!
On one end Govt is trying to overcome the energy crises to provide relief to ordinary people from the crises........while on the other end we have spoliers in the form or PTI and PAT spreading anarchy in the country
Grrat job PMLN. I voted PTI last time but your sincere initiatives to tackle energy woes and other efforts have made me change my mind. Will be voting PMLN if the progressive policies continue. God Speed.
@usman786: There are 235 million tonnes of coal deposits in Punjab, mostly in the salt range. Coal transportation up-north is not expensive either. Load will be closer to generation (Sahiwal providing to Punjab) and thus reduce T&D losses too. Cheap coal will bring down tariff. Our carbon footprint is low and no need to worry about emissions yet.
Sounds too good to be true... Hope someone will find out the truth..
@usman786 Are you happy in any case? Yes USA is closing down coal plants due to environmental issues. However, coal plants provide cheapest baseload energy. We just don't have any energy in Pakistan right now so in short term (15-20 years) this is the way to go but an environmental policy is needed alongside it.
These coal plants are essential though not good for health. This is just a tradeoff we have to make.
what does NS have to do with that? China needs Pakistan and that's why they are investing here. NS has to answer us about billions that he wasted on Nandi Pur project.
Well Done Mian Sahab.. Let the hypocrates criticize and do your job!
Pak China Friendship, a true example of Mutual Respect and Confidence.
regards,
@usman786: the majority of US, UK, German, French, chinese and even indian energy comes from coal. they definitely wont convert or shut it down and since they are using it to fuel their ever expanding industrious economies, why can't Pakistan?
Love the energy mix in this coal hydro and renewable energy, in my humble opinion we should make atleast double this if not triple
Nothing written about the feasibility or the cost. No exact time frame,techinal issues and expertise.Looks like another Nandi Pur drama in making to mint billions.
do we have coal mines in Sahiwal? Why to increase logistics/cost? Just to remind, USA is closing down coal plants and we are getting junk
Well done Nawaz Sharif.
Way to go PML-N ! Dont listen to PTI , they only want chaos and de-stabilization