2,320 megawatts energy projects in Southern Punjab: two accords signed with Chinese, Danish companies

Two separate agreements were signed between Punjab Government and Chinese and Danish companies for setting up 2320 megawatt energy projects in South Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif was the chief guest. Under the agreement signed between Punjab government and Danish wind power generation international company VESTAS will set up four wind power plants of 250 megawatt each at Rajanpur in South Punjab whereas under the second agreement, renowned Chinese Company Hauneng Shandong will set up two coal power plants of 660 megawatt each at Rahimyar Khan.
The Chief Minister gave Letter of Intent to Vice President of VESTAS. Gerard Carew with regard to the agreement of one thousand megawatt energy project between Punjab government and Danish company VESTAS, under which four wind power projects of 250 megawatt each will be set up in South Punjab on which an investment of 2 billion dollars will be made. Talking to the media men Shahbaz Sharif said that last year it was announced that there are vast opportunities of generating energy in south Punjab and sites had been identified where plants of generating electricity through wind could be set up, former Danish Ambassador in Pakistan Jesper Moller Sorensen had extended cooperation for identifying wind corridor.
He said the wind corridor was identified with the cooperation of world renowned company VESTAS for which we are thankful to Danish company for providing free assistance in this regard. As a result of these efforts, a big achievement has been made with regard to one thousand megawatt wind power project between Danish Company VESTAS and Punjab government.
Political Director of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Jesper Moler Sorensen who served as ambassador in Pakistan from 2013 to 2015 addressing the function said Pakistan is coming as a surprising market for Danish companies in energy sector and is marching forward in the field of renewable energy where Danish companies are very strong.
He said that technical abilities of VESTAS were introduced to Punjab government one and a half years ago and Denmark is ready to provide more technical assistance to Punjab government in renewable energy sector. He said Danish government has planned to transfer Danish expertise in wind policy, technical field and financing sector to concerned Pakistani stakeholders. 2018 is the target of starting commercial operation from first 250 megawatt project.
Vice President of VESTAS Jerad Cereu addressing the ceremony said that VESTAS provides wind energy to 74 countries and it has provided jobs to 19500 people. VESTAS has set up 52 percent more megawatts than others in the industry and the projects of 71 gegawatts have been set up all over the world. VESTAS is committed to play important role in the increasing market of Pakistan, he added.
Provincial Ministers Sher Ali Khan, Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Chairman Planning and Development and other officials were also present on this occasion. Earlier, an agreement of 1320 megawatt coal power plant was signed between Punjab government and Chinese company Hauneng Shandong, an investment of two billion dollars will be made on this project. Under this agreement, Chinese company will set up two coal power plants of 660 megawatt each in Rahimyar Khan. Secretary Energy Asad ur Rehman Gilani signed on behalf of Punjab government and President of Chinese company Wang Wen Zong on behalf of his company.
Speaking on the occasion Shahbaz Sharif said that the agreement of 1320 megawatt between Punjab government and Chinese company is a good omen. The Punjab government will provide all possible facilities for implementing this project. He said that Sahiwal coal power project is being forwarded expeditiously and 50 percent construction work has been completed.
The Chief Minister said that a new history of speed, transparency and high standard is being written in Sahiwal coal power project. He said that Chinese companies have made investment of 1.8 billion dollars in the project. this project of China Pakistan Economic Corridor will be helpful in removing darkness from Pakistan. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government and federal departments are working with devotion and dedication on energy projects. Railways, Port Qasim Authority and NTDC have assured to complete their respective work within stipulated period. The Chief Minister said that work is continuing on 1320 megawatt coal power plant in Sahiwal. He said that the work was started on this project six and a half months ago and 50.8 percent construction work has been completed so far.