The Defence Officers Housing Authority (DHA) here on Thursday announced that the Cogen Power and Desalination Plant is being re-commissioned. It said that a simple ceremony was held for the re-commissioning of DHA's Cogen Power and Desalination Plant at Defence Authority Country and Golf Club.
The Commander 5 Corps, Lieutenant General Shahid Iqbal, was the chief guest of the function. Nasim Khan, Managing Director of Defence Cogen Limited (DCL) and Representative of AEI, informed the gathering that the damaged Cogen plant had been repaired and the plant had started producing water and electricity since August 21.
He said that the plant was in testing/pre-commissioning mode and that all tests including plant's vibrations test were giving technically sound results. Nasim stated that the Cogen plant would Inshallah start commercial functioning by the end of this month. The Corps Commander said that the stakeholders concerned rose to the occasion and resolved all technical, financial and administrative impediments in a most professional and competent manner, which was commendable. He asked DCL to ensure that the Phase-II of the Cogen Project takes off timely and successfully.
The Phase-II of project consists of a similar power and desalination plant with a capacity to produce 105 MW and 5 MGD water. General Shahid added that the same was essential to meet the growing water and energy needs of the City. The Administrator DHA, Brigadier Khalid Tirmizi, described the re-commissioning of Cogen Plant as a momentous event and a massive breakthrough towards addressing the depleting energy needs and water scarcity problems of the metropolis.
He thanked all stakeholders of Cogen project including KESC for providing energy needed for energising the plant, SSGC for restoring the gas supply, Siemens for their co-operation in re-commissioning the plant and the banks for providing much needed financial support to DCL. The Administrator also thanked residents and residents' associations for their support, understanding and co-operation. Role of media and press was also lauded. He also stressed the need to move ahead and to seize the opportunity for a better and optimistic future.
The Administrator underlined the need to conclude Power Purchase Agreement with KESC for long term prospective, which would pave the way for reaching a viable and dynamic agreement for Phase-II of the project. A large number of people including Managing Director DCL, representatives of AEI, officials of KESC, SSGC, various banks, representatives of stakeholders from Turkey, Brazil and representatives of various residents associations attended the function.