In
pursuance of the Power Division commitment to facilitate and resolution of
issues pertaining to the ongoing projects under the CPEC in order to
ensure their timely completion, the Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais
Ahmed Khan Leghari flanked by Secretary Power Division Mr. Yousuf Naseem
Khokhar met the investors of these projects today.
Chinese
Deputy Head of Mission M. Lijian Zhao, nominated by the Embassy of China
as the focal person for power projects co-chaired the meeting
alongwith the Power Division.
All
the investors took active participation in the meeting and informed the meeting
regarding their projects achievements and expressed satisfaction over the
Power Division role in extending all out facilitation to them in all phases of
their development activities. They acknowledged the Power Sector performance as
a success story under the CPEC.
The
meeting was informed that Pakistan’s indigenous coal at thar has attracted a
handsome investment and the SCMC is working hard to achieve the targeted mining
results within the time. It was disclosed that 63% work on mining and mine
mouth plant by Engro is complete and the project of 660MW thar coal fired plant
is expected to achieve its COD in June 2019 well ahead of its time schedule by
almost four months. Other companies including the Oracle Power, Shanghai
electric, thalnova power and HUBCO Thar Power Project are also working fast and
will achieve their CODs well in time.
The
meeting was also briefed by the representatives of1320MW Port Qasim Coal Power
Plant and 1320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Plant regarding their operations and
the future development activities.
Representatives
from Hub Power Coal power project, Gawadar Coal Power Project, Sukki
Kinari Hydro Power Project, Karot Hydo Power Project and Kohala Hydro Power
Projects besides the china state grid sponsored Matriee-Lahore HVDC
Transmission Line project briefed the meeting regarding the progress and the
time line achieved so far in execution of these projects.
Representatives
from alternative energy projects (Wing solar ) including theh Hdro China Dawood
Power, Sachal Energy, UEP, Three Gorges, Western Energy, Chacho Wind, Applo
Solar and Crest Energy, Best Green also briefed the meeting regarding
their projects.
Responding
to the investors on the issue of delay and extension of LOS and LOI the
Minister for Power Division being also the Chairman of the BOD of PPIB directed
the PPIB to hold its next meeting on 11th January
2018. He further directed the PPIB to thoroughly work out the details of
these request and put before the BOD for its merit consideration and
decision.
The
Minister for Power Division while making it clear that no further
extension for delay would accorded said that case for one time extension
will be presented before the PPIB BOD for consideration.
The
Minister also assured the investors that the Power Division is also in
close negotiation with FBR on the issue of exemption of tax and related matter
and positive results are expected soon.
The
Minister also directed the NTDC to sit with coming power projects in Thar to
ensure timely provision of backfeed. He also directed the NTDC to provide
all out support to the investors so that they may be able to evacuate the power
as soon as they achieve the COD.
The
Minister also directed the Power Division to hold meeting with Provincial
Governments of Balochistan and KPK for early provision of land for
Gawadar Coal Power Project and Sukki Kinari Hdro power Project respectively.
The
Minister for Power Division also tasked the CPPA and Power Division to approach
the Power Regulator for sorting out the tariff related issues being faced by
few of the projects.
The
Chinese Deputy Head of Mission on the occasion appreciated the efforts of
the Power Division for meeting with all investors under the CPEC energy
projects and not only listening to their issues but also issuance of directions
for its early resolution. He said that China is further looking to extend
support to Pakistan in energy and investors in China have been keenly following
the success in the power sector.
MD,
PPIB, CEO AEDB, MD NTDC, MD PEPCO and other senior officials of the Power
Division were preset in the meetings.
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