Pakistan and China are likely to adopt soon a comprehensive plan in the energy sector, under a framework agreement arrived at between the two countries last week.
The agreement on energy co-operation was inked during the recent visit of President Pervez Musharraf to China. It includes development of nuclear-based energy resources. Such a co-operation will be in line with Chinese support that is already being extended to develop Chashma Nuclear Power plant.
Informed sources told APP here on Friday that Pakistan and China will hold high-level forum in Islamabad shortly to work out a comprehensive strategy of operation in the field of energy, to be carried out during the next five years.
The proposal of holding the seminar was made by President Musharraf during official-level talks with his Chinese counterpart. The Chinese side accepted the proposal and agreed to encourage the relevant companies to interact with Pakistan, promoting mutually beneficial co-operative partnership in the energy sector.
According to the China's National Development and Reform Commission, the Chinese side is prepared to collaborate with Pakistan in the fields, including nuclear power, hydro and thermal power, transmission lines as well as renewable energy such as wind power, solar power and biomass.
The two also decided to set up a joint working group to suggest and implement proposals in the energy field.
In a joint statement issued at the end of the President's. visit, both sides expressed satisfaction with the performance of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant and the start of the construction of the Chashma Power Plant Unit-II. Both sides also expressed their willingness to enhance co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the sources added.
The Framework Agreement on Energy Co-operation is a wide-ranging document, in which Pakistan expressed its interest, seeking Chinese help in construction of oil refineries, gas terminals, oil and gas storage and transit facilities. The Chinese side welcomed these proposals and agreed to conduct extensive bilateral co-operation in the relevant fields.
The agreement provides that the two countries will share technology and experience in clean energy and undertake joint projects. The two sides will ensure un-interrupted, secure and economical supply of energy to meet the needs of the their socio-economic development.
The two sides also pledged to co-ordinate policy and exchange information in the energy sector. The Chinese side has already expressed its intention to provide financial and technical support to Pakistan for developing important projects, like Chashma-II power plant, Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower and Thar coal.
The two countries made substantial co-operation in the past in the energy sector, especially developing hydropower resources, including the Ghazi Brotha dam. There are other joint ventures like Jinnah Hydro-power Project (96 MW), Golan Gol Hydro-power Project (106 MW) and Muzaffargarh-Kati Grid and Transmission Line construction project.