The government has removed imported coal fired 10 projects of 6,600MW (660MW each) at Gaddani (Balochistan) from top priority projects in consultation with National Energy Agency (NEA) China for at least one to two years citing lack of funding, an official told Business Recorder. The government took this critical decision after discussions with China under the umbrella of China Pak Economic Corridor.
However, coal fired projects in Thar, Port Qasim, Hubco and Sahiwal have been placed on top priority. The government''s claim appears to be unreliable as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), a Dubai-based company and several other companies have already shown an interest in investing billions of dollars on imported coal fired projects in Gaddani. However, United States of America (USA) is not supporting the plan due to environment issues. Insiders claims Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has also rejected most of the incentives sought by potential investors and Pakistan''s Power Park Company Gaddani was also facing transparency issues.
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) the Cabinet in its previous meeting had constituted a committee to review the incentives demanded by the inventors. Giving the background, the sources said, when the Ministry of Water and Power and NEA held threadbare discussion on planning of different power generation projects ie short-term, mid-term and long-term, there was consensus that those projects should be placed on first priority which can be executed and for which funding can be arranged with no trouble.
Official said Chinese experts visited Gaddani, Port Qasim and other locations and witnessed different logistics to gauge the feasibility of projects. After that exercise another session of marathon discussion was held to finalise the projects which could be completed expeditiously and those which could be put on second priority, the sources continued. "After detailed discussion, Chinese experts and Pakistani officials decided that only those projects should be put on first priority list which can be easily completed and during this exercise $12 billion Gaddani power park was put on second priority (future projects)," the sources continued.
All the official work of Gaddani Power Park Company is being given to the Private Power Infrastructure Board so that expenses relating to officials, staff and logistics can be reduced. Salaries of officials working in Gaddani Power Park Company are exorbitant as government officials with pay scales in thousands are getting in millions. When contacted, Additional Secretary Incharge Ministry of Water and Power, Younis Dagha confirmed that Gaddani Power Park Company was being attached with PPIB to avoid expenses and that would be completed next week. "When Gaddani Power Park will be placed on first priority, files will be taken back from the PPIB," he added. Dr Zafar Nasarullah, CEO of Gaddani Power Park, when contacted, said he was not aware of any such development. "I will visit the Ministry of Water and Power on Monday to ask about my future assignment," he added.
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