Business

Tarbela project extension to meet rising energy demand

Minister says it will improve energy mix by enhancing share of clean energy

Our Correspondent August 31, 2021

PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD:

Timely completion of Tarbela Hydropower Project will help in meeting the rapidly increasing demand for electricity in the country and improve the energy mix by enhancing the share of clean energy, said Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the progress on the Tarbela Hydropower Project (T5), Dasu Hydropower Project and Dasu-Mansehra-Islamabad Transmission Line on Monday, he directed the authorities to resolve all the pending issues pertaining to the three schemes.

The minister told the officials concerned to expedite implementation of the projects to ensure their completion on time.

“Local people have suffered a lot due to land acquisition for the construction of dams in the 1960s and 1970s and now project authorities should create job opportunities for them, especially the affectees of Tarbela Dam, as per project and contract agreements,” he emphasised.

The minister directed the meeting participants to review the performance of already completed community development schemes.

Khan emphasised the need for formulating the community development schemes in consultation with local people of the region to meet their genuine needs.

While reviewing the progress on the Dasu Hypdropower Project, he stressed the need for resuming all the development activities and directed the authorities to accelerate project implementation to ensure timely completion of the scheme.

“Revamping and augmenting the power transmission system is critical to ensure a smooth and efficient evacuation and supply of power,” he said.

The minister also ordered the relevant authorities to identify the critical path and set timelines for expeditious implementation of all the foreign-funded projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2021.

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