Energy crisis: Gas-based power plants to provide cheap electricity: CM

General Electric delegation calls on Shahbaz Sharif

LAHORE: The Punjab government is focusing on gas-based power plants to provide affordable electricity to the people, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was talking to a delegation from General Electric Corporation led by its CEO Steve Bolze.

“Strenuous efforts have been made to give a practical shape to gas power projects in the province. The matters relating to these projects have been finalised speedily and transparently,” he said.

He said that foundation stone of two gas power projects had been laid in Bhikki and Haveli Bahadur Shah. “The foundation stone of the third gas power plant at Balloki will be laid soon,” he said. He said that the Punjab government was setting up a gas-based power plant in Bhikki, Sheikhupura, using its own resources. “The federal government is establishing power plants at Haveli Bahadur Shah and Balloki,” he said.

He said that a total of 3,600 megawatts would be added to the national grid after the completion of the three projects by the end of 2017.

“Energy projects being set up in the Punjab will benefit the whole country. Gas-based power projects will be a game-changer in the energy sector,” he said. He said that matters relating to gas-based power plants had been processed in a transparent manner.

“The latest turbine technology is being used for the gas power plants. They will be a trendsetter for energy projects. These plants will be among the best power plants of the world. The efforts being made by the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, during the last two years are bearing fruit,” he said.

Referring to the solar power project, the chief minister said that the Punjab government had completed a 100 megawatt solar power plant in Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park.

“The project was completed in a highly transparent manner. The power generated will cost 14 cents per unit,” he said.

Bolze paid rich tribute to Shahbaz Sharif for the speedy and transparent work on power and metro bus projects.

“Matters regarding gas-based projects were to be completed in two years. However, under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the process had been completed within six months,” he said.

He said that high standards and transparency had been ensured in gas power projects.

General Electric president for Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan Nabil Habayeb, Power Systems Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Mohhaisen, President of the company for Pakistan and Middle East Sarim Sheikh, Energy Additional Chief Secretary Chaudhry Arif Saeed, Haveli Bahadur Shah Gas Power Plant CEO Rashid Langrial, Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park CEO Najam Shah and Quaid-i-Azam Thermal Power Company CEO Ahad Cheema were also present.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2015.