Second Turkish power ship: minister directs Pepco to complete connectivity in two weeks

The Ministry of Water and Power has directed Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) to complete the procedural connectivity requirements for power generation from Turkish power ship within two weeks. This was stated by the Minister for Water and Power, Pervez Ashraf, during his meeting with a Turkish delegation of Karkey Karadeniz power ship along with Turkish Ambassador.
Ashraf, who has been severely criticised for failing to reduce load shedding for third year running, said that the power ship would not only provide stable power supply to Karachi but would also save fuel transport cost, and eliminate transmission losses. He assured the Turkish investors that the government would facilitate the investors in all respects and would protect their investment.
The Turkish Ambassador said that the Turkish President, the government and its people are eagerly waiting for supply of electricity from the ship to the people of Karachi.
Earlier, the Director of Karkey Karadeniz power ship, Nuray ATACIK briefed the Minister on the project and current status and said that the additional capacity would be instrumental to meet the needs of industrial sector and manufacturing units of Karachi in case of any shortfall in the coming summer.
The first power ship of 220 MW had arrived in Karachi on November 17, 2010, and the second power ship, Alican Bey, of 110 MW has also reached Karachi that would ensure additional capacity to the project, under 'Power of Friendship, Power of Brotherhood' project and in demonstration of solidarity of Turkish investors with their brethren in Pakistan.
Karkey has dedicated an impressive installed capacity of 330 MW to Pakistan out of its world-wide fleet of power ships. The interconnection between Karkey and Karachi has been commissioned while the Alican Bey is being connected. Karkey has completed its test-generation. Karkey power ship rental project is expected to allow the government of Pakistan to save up to Rs 6 billion a year (saving on fuel transport cost and elimination of transmission losses) as providing additional secure generation capacity to Karachi and subsequently to the rest of the country.