Austria has assured to invest in the hydel power, alternate energy development projects and to provide technical assistance in the forthcoming hydro power generation projects in Pakistan. This was assured by Austrian Minister for Economy, Dr Reinhold Mitterlehner during a meeting with Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf held on Monday in Vienna (Austria), says a message received here.
The Austrian Minister said that Austrian companies are already working in Pakistan in energy sector and are keen to expand their business while the new ones are also interested in this sector. He said that Austria would also provide technical co-operation in the hydel power projects. Austria has the expertise in the manufacturing of hydel machinery, and offered Pakistan to consider it for their mega hydel power projects.
Earlier, the Federal Minister Ashraf briefed him on the current energy situation and the measures being taken to meet the future water and power requirements. He gave him details of the water and power sector projects being initiated by the government.
He said that Pakistan has planned to change its energy mix and now focusing on hydel, coal, wind and solar generation to provide cheaper and reliable power the consumers. The minister said that Pakistan would welcome the Austrian investment, technical co-operation and joint venture projects. As Austria has expertise in the manufacturing of hydel power generation equipment, Pakistan would facilitate the investors and manufacturers of hydel power plant producers, particularly for Terbela-4th Extension hydel power project, he added.
Ashraf thanked, the Austrian Minister for co-operation and support in the power sector in Pakistan. He hoped that Pakistan would get benefit the Austrian expertise in the hydropower generation. The meeting also discussed various matters of mutual interest to explore ways and means to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries. The minister who is currently on three days official tour to Austria arrived at Vienna the other day and Vice Minister of Economy Josef Mayer and The Ambassador Designate to Pakistan Axel Wech welcomed him at the airport.
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