Nawaz orders immediate work on Gaddani, Port Qasim power plants

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday gave approval for immediate start of work on installation of two power plants in Gaddani and Port Qasim to meet the energy shortage in the country. Chairing a meeting here at the PM House to review power generation in the country, Sharif also directed the establishment of a dedicated project management office to track the progress of these power plants. The prime minister was briefed about the medium-term initiatives of the government to overcome power shortage that include wind energy generation of 2000 MW by 2016, CASA project of 1000 MW by 2017, Tarbella-V extension project by 2017 and development of 1000 MW power project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park by the Punjab government.

He was also told that work on Neelum-Jhelum and Nandipur power projects was on track.

Sharif was also informed that a coal-based power project with the help of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was being launched in Jamshoro, which would be completed in two years.

He was also briefed on the government’s effort for reduction of line losses.

The prime minister directed that work on the power projects should be carried out on a war-footing and his strategy of energy be responded to as an ‘energy emergency’.

“Any lapse in implementation is unacceptable,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid and Special Assistant to PM on Energy Dr Mussadiq and former finance minister Shaukat Tareen.