China has expressed keen interest to invest in hydel and renewable energy power projects in Pakistan and to join hands with Wapda for development of various large-scale hydropower projects. The interest was shown by the head of the ten- member Chinese delegation Cao Guanging, Chairman of the state owned China Three Gorges Project Corporation (CTGPC), during a meeting with the Federal Minister for Water and Power and Privatisation, Syed Naveed Qamar held, here on Tuesday.
Cao said that their corporation is looking for investment and other co-operation for 1100 MW Kohala Hydropower, 7100 MW Bunji Hydropower and 720 MW Karot hydropower and various other hydel projects in Pakistan. He said that the Corporation is all set to start construction of 50MW wind power project in Jhampir (Sindh) and will complete it next year. It has also planned to install 2000 MW wind power and 300MW solar power projects in Punjab and Sindh. Their sister organisation, CWE is already working in the areas of wind and solar energy projects in Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Water and Power and Privatisation, Syed Naveed Qamar lauded the Pak-China friendship and thanked Chinese government and the CTGPC for its interest in the development of energy sector of Pakistan. Pakistan is energy deficient country and the Chinese investment in the hydel sector will help generate cheaper electricity for future requirements, he maintained. The government will extend full co-operation and facilitate the Chinese in water, power, coal and renewable energy projects, he assured the delegation.
The minister said that the government is taking measures to complete the formalities of the hydel power projects. He asked Wapda and the CTGPC to work together and find out the possible solution of all the related outstanding matters to cooperate each other in the hydropower generation. Qamar also offered Chinese to invest in the Basha dam and Thar coal power projects. He appreciated the local manufacturing of wind power machinery and also offered large scale manufacturing of solar panels and wind energy turbines in Pakistan, as the corporation has specialisation in renewable energy development and operation and Pakistan has a great potential of solar and wind energy.-PR