Policy priority: All efforts being made to end load shedding, says Shahbaz

1,320MW coal-based powerhouse being set up in Sahiwal


Our Correspondent December 28, 2015
1,320MW coal-based powerhouse being set up in Sahiwal. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:


The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, is taking effective measures to rid the country of load shedding, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday.


Talking to a delegation of PML-N lawmakers, he said that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, 1,320-megawatts of electricity would be produced from a coal-based powerhouse being set up in Sahiwal.

“The plant will be completed in 2017. With the completion of gas-based power plants in Haveli Bahadur Shah, Bhiki and Balloki, a total of 3,600MWs of electricity will become available. These projects will be completed in 2017-18 and will help overcome load shedding,” he said.

The chief minister said that the Punjab government was setting up a gas-based power plant in Sheikhupura using its own resources. “The federal government is working on power plants to be operated on gas in Balloki and Haveli Bahadur Shah,” he said.

The chief minister said that the projects would help overcome the energy crisis and eliminate load shedding. “Through effective implementation of 3,600MW gas-based projects being set in the Punjab, Rs110 billion has been saved,” he said.

The chief minister said besides coal-based power projects and solar power projects in Bahawalpur, work was in progress on power projects in several areas of the country, including Port Qasim and Thar.

“The economic package provided by China reflects the confidence of Chinese leadership in Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Pakistanis will never forget this historic package. Due to the government’s policies, the confidence of foreign investors has been restored and local and foreign investors are coming to Pakistan. Measures are being taken for the development of social and economic sectors. Therefore, work is in progress expeditiously on several projects in energy, infrastructure and transport sectors under the CPEC,” he said.

The chief minister said that the CPEC projects would bring economic stability and prosperity throughout the region. He said that the projects would benefit 180 million people of Pakistan. “By helping Pakistan at this critical time, China has proved that it is a reliable and sincere friend. No effort will be spared for completion of CPEC projects. No one will be allowed to create hurdles to delay this great project,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2015.

COMMENTS (2)

ishrat salim | 8 years ago | Reply SS Sb, where is your election promise that your party will end load shedding in 6 month, then you said 1 year. You also said that if not you will change your name. What name should we suggest ? We are fools & the general public are fools & you know it.
Haji Atiya | 8 years ago | Reply Don't hold your breath and wait for these empty promises, which are repeated ad nauseum over the years, to materialize ! Better install solar PV panels on your roofs and a wind turbine in your garden..
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