Federal Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif has said that the Hub coal power project will not only bring prosperity to the country but will also accelerate the pace of development in Balochistan.
He was talking with a delegation of the Hub Power Company (Hubco) comprising Chief Executive Khalid Mansoor, New Ventures Senior Vice President Tahir Jawaid, Chairman of the coal project company – China Power Hub Generation Company, Huang Yuntao and CPHGC CEO Zhao Yonggang who met with Federal Minister for Water and Power Khwaja Asif and Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha on Friday.
Informing the minister about the work of Hubco, CEO Khalid Mansoor said, “At present, we are in the advanced stages of a historic, multi-billion dollar project to develop two 660MW plants based on imported coal and an ancillary jetty for coal transport near the existing Hub plant.”
He said that the Project will be developed via a joint venture (JV) with China Power Hub Generation Company (CPHGC) Pvt. Ltd, which has already been incorporated under the laws of Pakistan. The project is part of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It is the only power project under CPEC in the province of Balochistan.
“As an integral part of Project development, Hubco has carried out an environmental and social impact Assessment (ESIA) study. The environmental concerns of the project identified in the ESIA study include the recommended mitigation measures which will be fully complied by Hubco during various phases of the project,” he said.
Huang Yuntao apprised the minister of the environmental controls. “With state-of-the-art equipment, the project will meet all the requirements set out by the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). Liquid effluent treatment plants will also be installed at the project. Additionally, Hubco will ensure that industrial effluents discharged by the project do not go beyond the limits set by the NEQS, ensuring that there is no adverse impact on the marine ecology of the surrounding area.”
The project construction will provide employment opportunities through induction of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workforce for the project. In addition, economic activities around the project site are also likely to witness a major increase. “Projects of this magnitude bring inclusive growth and ensure development of the adjoining areas,” Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif said.
Regarding the ongoing energy crisis in the country the minister said that the project would pave the way for a much-needed shift for the Pakistan’s current energy mix to achieve the objective of generating all the energy that the country needs. The project will also set precedence for future investments in the energy sector in Pakistan, he added.
He assured maximum support to the company in the execution of its project and issued direction to the officials concerned in this regard.