ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The energy projects initiated under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project would not only help overcome the existing energy crisis faced by the country but would produce surplus electricity for the country.
As many as 17,045 megawatts of energy would be generated through these projects spreading all across, hence lead the country towards self-sufficiency in energy production.
Official sources told that as many as 1100 megawatt electricity generated through these projects would be included in the national grid during 2016.
During the year 2017, about 1650 mw electricity would be included in the national grid system while projects of 3270 mw capacity would become operational by 2018.
The additional projects of 2250 mw capacity would be completed after 2018, the sources said adding the government had already initiated work on many of these projects, majority of which would be completed by 2018, official sources added.
The sources said that currently work on 1,320 mw coal-fired power project Sahiwal was in progress and work 1320 mw Port Qasim Coal project was also going on which would generate 660 mw electricity by 2017 while the remaining 660 would be ready for consumption by 2018.
Similarly, work on 600 mw Engro Thar Coal project also continues on fast track which would produce 300 mw electricity by 2017 and additional 300 mw by 2018.
Work on 1320 mw Qadirabad Coal Project was also in progress which would include 660 mw electricity in the national transmission system by 2017 while the remaining 660 mw would be included in the system by 2018.
Electricity of 300 mw would be added in the national gird from Salt Range Mine Mouth Power Project by end of 2018 while the Hubco would give 660 mw to national gird by 2018.
Work on Thar Block-I has also been initiated to produce 660 mw electricity by 2018 and additional 660 after the year 2018.
The 1000 mw Quaid-i-Azam Solar Part in Bhawalpur and 250 mw wind power plant in Sindh were also going on which would start generation from current year.
Likewise, 720 mw Krote Hydro Power Project and 870 mw Sukhi Kinaru Hydro Power projects of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also in pipeline which would be launched after year 2018.
It is pertinent to mention here that many other energy projects are also part of the CPEC but these would be initiated after 2018.
In addition to the power generation projects, the CPEC also includes many road infrastructures projects are also in progress which include Karakoram Highway Phase-II, Peshawar Karachi Motorway, railway projects including extension of existing main railway line and construction of Havalian Dry Port.
Other than CPEC projects, China has investment in many other energy projects including Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project which would start electricity generation of 969 mw from 2017.
Chashma Nuclear extension project would include 340 megawatt in the national grid this year while another chunck of 340 mw would be included in the system 2017.
According to survey conducted by the state-run news agency, the current pace of work on development projects was unprecedented. The people were of the view that Pakistan must be proud of its friendship with China, which has been trustworthy and sincere friend to Pakistan.
Chairman Renewable and Alternate Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP), Muhammad Nasir, while talking to APP said that China had once again proved its sincere friendship by taking measures to rid Pakistan of energy crisis.
President REAP, Asif Jah said that Pak-China friendship was sweeter than honey, higher than Himalayas, deeper than oceans and stronger than steel.
Both the countries have similar stances regarding international relations, peace and mutual respect.
Due to the prudent economic policies, China has become an economic power in the world and the historic economic package of China was a gift for Pakistan, which would be remembered for ever.
REAP Biodiesel Coordinator, Rana Tauseef Iqbal said that during the tenure of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, new epoch of Pak-China friendship had started and the relations between the two countries had been transformed into fruitful economic ties.
The CPEC would open new avenues of progress and prosperity while the energy projects initiated under it would take the country out of dark.
It is pertinent to mention here that CPEC was a long-term Broad framework with multiple sectoral projects, which would be completed in different phases through bilateral agreements agreed upon by both sides as a win-win equation.
Pakistan and China had signed an agreement last year to commence work on CPEC development projects worth over $46 billion.
The corridor aims to connect Gwadar port in Balochistan to China’s Xinjiang region via a network of highways, railways and pipelines spread over 3,000 KM. Work on several sections is in progress.
Source: APP
