A Letter of Interest (LoI) for 590MW Mahl Hydropower Project has been issued to a consortium of CWE Investment Corporation China (a subsidiary of China Three Gorges) and Trans Tech Pakistan here on Tuesday. Sheng Zhendong countersigned the LoI document on behalf of sponsoring consortium, while on behalf of the Government of Pakistan Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director, PPIB signed the document.
Federal Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Mohammad Asif witnessed the ceremony. Board members of PPIB and senior government officials besides representatives of sponsoring consortium were also present on the occasion. The Mahl project is a Run-of-River Hydropower Project which is being set up at the dual boundary of Punjab and AJ&K, with an estimated cost of 1,200 million dollar.
While presiding over the 98th meeting of PPIB Board, Khawaja Asif said the primary focus of the government was on local resources for power generation and emphasis was on coal in the southern region and hydro projects in the northern region of the country. The enormous amount of coal at Thar needs to be utilised for power generation for which the work has been started.
In the meeting it was decided to expedite the two projects at Thar coal, ie 1200MW by China Power International Holding and 660MW by Engro Powergen Ltd and it was informed that LoI would soon be issued to both the projects. It was also decided by the Board to advertise the 350MW Athmuqam Hydropower Project to be located on River Neelum in AJ&K to renew investor interest in the area.
The Minister said various power projects had been signed during the recent visit of PM Nawaz Sharif to China, and the Chinese companies were eager to invest in Pakistan. The Minister conveyed that the Government of China had committed to create a "green channel" for fast track investments for the power sector of Pakistan. He dispelled the impression that the hydro projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa were not being considered by the federal government. He said that during the visit of PM to China, SukiKinari hydro project of 870MW was also signed, to be developed in District Mansehra, KP. He asked PPIB to expediently process the coal and hydel projects and facilitate them for timely completion.-PR
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