PHOTO: INP
LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Sunday that with the timely completion of all energy projects planned by the government load shedding would end in the province by end 2017.
He was addressing a meeting to review work on energy projects underway in the province.
Sharif expressed satisfaction at the pace of work on the 900-megawatt Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur.
He said the government planned to set up a gas-powered plant with a generation capacity of 1200 megawatts and a coal-power plant with a generation capacity of 300 megawatts.
Alongside, he said the government was also working on establishing small solar and wind power projects. He said wind power plants at various sites across the province could help generate between 800 and 1000 megawatts electricity. He said four sites had been identified for the purpose.
Sharif said besides increasing production capacity, the government was also looking into projects that could help conserve energy. Earlier, he directed officials concerned to submit a comprehensive plan for the purpose in two weeks.
He said a solution to energy crisis was necessary if the province was to attain its economic growth targets.
Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) Jehanzeb Khan gave a detailed briefing on energy projects underway in the province.
Provincial Minister for Minerals Chaudhry Sher Ali, Punjab Power Development Company chairman and the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park chief executive officer were also present at the occasion.
Separately, a delegation of mid-career diplomats from Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese consul general called upon the chief minister on Sunday.
They said with improvement in infrastructure and efficient provision of public services, the economy of the province stood on solid footing.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 15th, 2015.
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