The senate standing committee on water and power was informed on Thursday that 425 MW Nandipur power project would be made fully operational before June 30.
The committee which met here with Zahid Khan in the chair reviewed progress on Nandipur power plant, coal energy, Neelum Jehlum and Golan Gol transmission line projects.
Nandipur Power Project Managing Director Muhammad Mehmood informed the committee that three units of the plant had already been commissioned and the plant was being run on test basis. Currently, the plant was generating 300 MW, he added.
The MD said that fourth unit of combine circle would be ready before June 30 and the plant would supply 425 MW electricity to the national grid system. He said earlier fuel treatment plant was not working but now it was fully functional. He said the Nandipur power plant was second most efficient thermal power plant after Guddu 747 MW.
Secretary Water and Power Muhammad Younas Dagha told the senate panel that the government was working simultaneously on various projects including hydel, coal and wind. He informed that China was a sole country which finances coal-based power generation projects.
All projects would be completed in phases including Gaddani power projects and currently, the government has focused on short-term projects having 10,500 MW which would be completed in next 3-4 years. He said all the coal-based power projects were being set up by the private sector. To a query, the secretary told that 1320 MW Sahiwal power plant would be run on imported coal and would be ready by 2017. He said three coal-based power plants would be set up during the first phase in the country, adding that these would be run on local coal.
One plant of 300 MW would be set up in Salt Range (Punjab) while two plants of 1,320 MW and 660 MW would be established in Thar Block-1 and Thar Block-2 respectively.
Younas Dagha said Thar Block-2 power project was on advance stage and would attain financial close by April-May while the 1320 MW Thar Block-1 power project would achieve financial close by end of this year. Chief Executive Officer of 969 MW Neelum Jehlum power project, Gen (R) Zubair, apprised the committee that overall 69.5 per cent work had already been completed and the project would be completed during its scheduled timing subject to availability of required funds.
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Zafar Mehmood informed that Neelum Jehlum project was launched without the financial close. However, he said work on the project never remain halted despite various problems. He said the Chinese Exim Bank and Kuwait Fund indicated $ 300 million and $ 30 million respectively for the project. The committee expressed displeasure on awarding contract of Golan Gol transmission line to a sole bidder by violating PPRA rules and directed to cancel the contract and recover amount paid to the contractor.