To ease the power shortage issue, Punjab government has formulated a road map for generating 3,000MW of electricity during the next three years. Provincial Energy Department is trying to roll out dozens of alternate energy projects during the next three years. Speaking to Pakistan Today, provincial Energy Department Secretary Rab Nawaz disclosed that the Punjab government had set its immediate focus on 1,000MW electricity, which was readily available with sugar mills in the province.
Though this promptly available capacity was available for nearly 180 days a year, but the government was encouraging sugar mills to go for multiple fuel generation, he maintained. In addition, he indicated, that the government had also initiated 800MW coal power generation projects, of which a 300MW project would be installed in collaboration with a Chinese company, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC).
Punjab government would invest around 10 per cent in the project, while the rest would be invested by the Chinese investors, he disclosed. Another, 300MW coal fired power generation project would be started in the private sector, whereas four coal power generation projects − 50MW each − had been proposed for different industrial estates in the province, including Sundar and Faisalabad industrial estates. These coal power generation projects would primarily run on imported coal due to its high power generation efficiency, he disclosed. Punjab Energy Department secretary said that five hydroelectric power projects were also underway. The government had already signed financing agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for two of these hydroelectric projects and expecting funding for another project during this month. He said that the government had also approved 120MW Taunsa Hydro-Power Project in which the government might invest 10-15 per cent, while the rest of the investment would be made by the Chinese company, China Water and Electric Corporation. The technical proposals and feasibility update process for the project was underway and it was expected that the project would complete in 24-30 months, he added. Speaking about the alternate sources of power generations, Rab Nawaz said that provincial government was in process of negotiation with private sector for three solar power projects that would generate around 90MW. In addition, two biogas – one and two MW each – power generation facilities would be set up in Gawala Colony, Lahore, while a 32 MW electricity generation plant would be set up in private sector that would run of solid waste, he added.
