Gilani directs Water and Power Ministry and WAPDA to pace up mega water projects
PM issues directives to remove bottlenecks in country’s mega hydel power projects.
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday, expressing concern over delay in the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, directed the Ministry of Water and Power and WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) to work out a financial plan in consultation with the Finance Ministry to expedite the project.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on mega power projects at the PM House, the Prime Minister issued directives to remove bottlenecks in the country’s mega hydel power projects and asked the Energy Committee headed by the Finance Minister to meet fortnightly. The Prime Minister also asked the Energy Committee to prepare a two-year work plan for the power projects.
PM Gilani observed that mismanagement must be checked to improve the efficiency of these projects as they were the lifeline of the national economy.
He added that it was the strong resolve of the government to complete the projects already in the pipeline so that their benefits could start reaching the people as soon as possible.
He said keeping in view the escalating cost of thermal power projects, the only viable way is to start hydel power projects that would provide relief to the public at large.
The Prime Minister directed that Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs be included in the energy committee in order to increase the level of coordination for the hydel projects in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Prime Minister also expressed dissatisfaction on the delay in executing the Kohala Hydropower Project of 1100MW generation capacity and directed that it should be expedited and pre-project procedure could be completed by the end of this year. However, he expressed satisfaction over the recent talks between the experts of Pakistan and India on establishing back-to-back electricity grid between the two countries.
He said provided the modalities are appropriately worked out between the two counties, the proposed grid could contribute towards reducing the power shortage in both the countries in their long term usage.
Regarding Nandipur Thermal Power Project, the Prime Minister directed to complete it within stipulated time. He asked the Cabinet Committee on Energy to look into ways to further expedite the project.
The Prime Minister also instructed to start work on 1450MW Tarbella 4, expansion project without further delay to produce affordable electricity.
WAPDA apprised the meeting that the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project of 969MW, with installed capacity was approved in 1989 by the ECNEC at the cost of Rs15billion which was delayed, with its cost going up to Rs333.191 billion.
The meeting was also apprised by the Secretary Water and Power about the progress on the Nandipur Thermal Power Project. He said that the project is of 425MW installed capacity combined Cycle Power Plant on Engineering, Procurement and Construction basis and the contract has been awarded to DEC China. Total cost of the project is US$329 million.
About the electricity back-to-back channel between Pakistan and India, the meeting was informed that the experts are in the process of finalisation of the cost, end-user agreement and other modalities of the project.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday, expressing concern over delay in the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, directed the Ministry of Water and Power and WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) to work out a financial plan in consultation with the Finance Ministry to expedite the project.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review progress on mega power projects at the PM House, the Prime Minister issued directives to remove bottlenecks in the country’s mega hydel power projects and asked the Energy Committee headed by the Finance Minister to meet fortnightly. The Prime Minister also asked the Energy Committee to prepare a two-year work plan for the power projects.
PM Gilani observed that mismanagement must be checked to improve the efficiency of these projects as they were the lifeline of the national economy.
He added that it was the strong resolve of the government to complete the projects already in the pipeline so that their benefits could start reaching the people as soon as possible.
He said keeping in view the escalating cost of thermal power projects, the only viable way is to start hydel power projects that would provide relief to the public at large.
The Prime Minister directed that Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs be included in the energy committee in order to increase the level of coordination for the hydel projects in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Prime Minister also expressed dissatisfaction on the delay in executing the Kohala Hydropower Project of 1100MW generation capacity and directed that it should be expedited and pre-project procedure could be completed by the end of this year. However, he expressed satisfaction over the recent talks between the experts of Pakistan and India on establishing back-to-back electricity grid between the two countries.
He said provided the modalities are appropriately worked out between the two counties, the proposed grid could contribute towards reducing the power shortage in both the countries in their long term usage.
Regarding Nandipur Thermal Power Project, the Prime Minister directed to complete it within stipulated time. He asked the Cabinet Committee on Energy to look into ways to further expedite the project.
The Prime Minister also instructed to start work on 1450MW Tarbella 4, expansion project without further delay to produce affordable electricity.
WAPDA apprised the meeting that the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project of 969MW, with installed capacity was approved in 1989 by the ECNEC at the cost of Rs15billion which was delayed, with its cost going up to Rs333.191 billion.
The meeting was also apprised by the Secretary Water and Power about the progress on the Nandipur Thermal Power Project. He said that the project is of 425MW installed capacity combined Cycle Power Plant on Engineering, Procurement and Construction basis and the contract has been awarded to DEC China. Total cost of the project is US$329 million.
About the electricity back-to-back channel between Pakistan and India, the meeting was informed that the experts are in the process of finalisation of the cost, end-user agreement and other modalities of the project.