Pak-China cooperation: LoI signed for Mahl Hydropower Project

Focus on utilising local resources for power generation.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government and a Chinese large-scale enterprise signed a Letter of Interest (LoI) for a 590 megawatt (MW) Mahl Hydropower Project.

The LoI was issued to a consortium of China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE), a subsidiary of China Three Gorges, and Trans Tech Pakistan.

Sheng Zhendong signed on behalf of the sponsoring consortium, while Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) Managing Director Shah Jahan Mirza signed on behalf of the Pakistan government.

The Mahl project is a hydropower project set up at the dual boundary of Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir and will cost an estimated $ 1.2 billion. Presiding over the 98th meeting of PPIB Board, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif said the primary focus of the government is on local resources for power generation, with emphasis on coal in the southern region, and on hydro projects in the northern.

The board decided to expedite two projects at Thar coal, namely, 1200 MW by China Power International Holding, and 660 MW by Engro Powergen Limited. The Letters of Interest would soon be issued to both projects.

The board also wants to advertise for the 350MW Athmuqam Hydropower Project to be located on river Neelum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to renew investor interest in the area.

Asif dispelled the impression that hydro projects in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa were not under consideration by the federal government.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2014.

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