The United States (US) Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez visited Mangla Power Station to review firsthand, the contribution US assistance funds are making to help alleviate energy crisis in Pakistan. US Ambassador in Pakistan Richard Olson also accompanied him during the visit.
The visit was conducted in the context of the US commitment for providing financial assistance up to $ 150 million for refurbishment and up-gradation of Mangla Hydel Power Station.
Speaking on the occasion, Senator Menendez stated that, “the American people are proud to support large-scale energy projects in Pakistan that will add 900 MW of power to the national grid by the end of this year, enough power to supply electricity to more than two million households across the country.”
Earlier, Federal Secretary Water and Power Nargis Sethi, thanking the US for the support in power sector, informed Senator Menendez of the power situation in Pakistan and the measures being taken by the government to overcome electricity shortages and improve the ratio of low-cost electricity in the national grid.
WAPDA Chairman Syed Raghib Shah dilating upon the details of Mangla Power Station apprised the guests that WAPDA had undertaken refurbishment and up-gradation of the power house in view of aging factor of the generating equipment, and availability of additional water due to the raising of Mangla Dam. This will not only help rehabilitate the power house but also increase its generation capacity from 1000 MW to 1310 MW, resulting in average annual increment of 1,632 million units low-cost hydel electricity to the national grid. The task, currently underway, will be completed in phases with an estimated cost of US $ 400 million, he added.
US proud to support large-scale energy projects in Pakistan
