Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting to review the progress on energy projects in the province. Federal Minister for Water & Power Muhammad Asif and Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi especially participated in the session.
The meeting agreed to take all necessary measures for speedy progress and early completion of energy projects.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said that all out efforts are being made to decrease the energy crisis. He said that besides traditional sources, energy projects are being executed through renewable methods. He said that a planning has been made for setting up energy projects through LNG in the province.
The chief minister said that the Punjab government has decided to set up an LNG power plant near Sheikhupura and more than 1,000-megawatt electricity would be generated from this plant. The Federal Cabinet has given approval to set up energy projects through LNG at three different places in Punjab and a total of 3,600 megawatts of electricity will be generated from these projects, he added.
Shahbaz Sharif thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for granting approval to the provision of 200 MMCFD LNG to Punjab. He expressed the hope that a number of energy projects will be generating electricity during the next three years and the people will be provided relief from the current energy crisis. He said that every moment of the nation is precious and the energy projects will be executed transparently and speedily.
The Chief Minister directed that concerned departments should immediately take necessary steps for LNG power plants and work should be started for laying pipelines and up-gradation of transmission lines at the earliest. He said that energy projects of LNG would be completed on fast track. Shahbaz Sharif said that 100-megawatt solar project has been completed in a record period of six months at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur. He said that it is the first and biggest solar project in the history of the country which, Punjab government, has set up from its own resources.
The chief minister disclosed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would soon inaugurate the project. He said that work is continuing on the project and energy is being generated through indigenous coal with the cooperation of China in Salt Range. He said that all our resources would be provided to ensure speedy completion of energy projects. Muhammad Asif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assured every possible cooperation to the Chief Minister Punjab for the early completion of energy projects.
