Energy reforms to become clearer soon

Provincial electric minister gets 3-day power-based exhibition underway.

KARACHI: The provincial power policy will be announced soon while a detailed report on Thar coal is expected in the next two months, giving the deficient sector a much-needed path to better days.

Sindh Minister for Information and Electric Power Shazia Marri said this while addressing the inaugural session of the three-day Power & Alternate Energy Asia exhibition at Karachi Expo Centre which is being attended by more than 52 foreign delegates and potential investors in the energy sector.

“This is an eye-opener for all those who have a negative perception about Pakistan,” Marri said.

“Arrival of such a large number of foreign delegates is proof that Pakistan is a very safe country for investment,” she said.

Marri stressed the need for conducting studies about wind energy as there is potential to produce energy from this source in the entire province. The province is expected to establish wind power plants in Jhimpir, Gharo, Keti Bandar and Bin Qasim among other regions. Turkish company Zorlu Energy and Energy Limited, an independent power producer subsidiary of Fauji Fertiliser Company, have already confirmed plans to establish wind power plants in the wind corridor of Jhimpir, Thatta.

Marri while pitching another proposal to potential investors said that small hydel power projects of two megawatts can also be installed at canals in Sindh for electrification and running of tube-wells.

She said that developing alternate energy resources has become inevitable, adding “today the entire world is focusing on developing alternate energy through coal, solar power and other resources”.

She said that the country is facing the current energy shortage as the sector was neglected in the past. Marri pointed out that several activities have been witnessed in the energy sector due to the policies of the elected government which is focusing on energy development

Marri said foreign investors’ trust was the result of Pakistan’s democratic government’s positive relations with Asian countries in general and countries of this region in particular. She referred to recent visit of heads of state of Iran and Afghanistan and said the democratic government is determined to turn Pakistan into a safest country.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2012.