Pakistan urges Chinese firms to intensify energy projects

Pakistan will give incentives builders and constructors which complete their projects before scheduled completion time.

President Asif Ali Zardari relayed this to the China Gezhouba Group Corporation Vice Chairman Mr Nie Kai and China International Water and Electric Corporation Senior Vice President Wang Shaofang who recently called on him.

The China International Water and Electric Corporation or CWE evinced interest in building larger dams with power houses, including Kohala, Bahsha and Bunji on Build, Operate and Transfer basis. These projects are estimated to produce 14,000-MW power.

The corporation also offered to provide complete financing for building the projects.

The president urged the Chinese companies to consider participating in other mega projects of the country such as Zulfiqarabad city project and the desilting Tarbela Dam.

The president said that being short of energy Pakistan was stepping up search for out of box, imaginative and bold solutions to meet the country’s energy needs by all available modes.

He said Pakistan offered promising opportunities for massive investment in new sources of energy in Pakistan particularly in the development of wind, solar and hydro energy.

The president said that his government was attaching great priority to early completion of hydropower projects, especially the Neelum-Jehlum Hydropower project, not only to meet the energy requirements but also to provide cheap electricity to the people.