LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha Friday said that Punjab government was spending a hefty grant of Rs 258 billion on ongoing energy projects in the province.
In her budget speech in the Punjab Assembly here, she said that federal and Punjab governments are executing energy generation projects worth Rs 618 billion in the province, while China would invest Rs 360 billion in these projects.
The Finance Minister said that under-completion energy projects in Punjab included 1320 megawatt coal-fired power station at Sahiwal with a cost of Rs 180 billion; 1000MW Quaid-e-Solar Park, which is currently generating 100MW electricity, at Bahawalpur at Rs 145 billion cost; 300MW coal power project worth Rs 45 billion at Pind Dadan Khan.
These three projects, she added, would be generating accumulative 2620MW electricity till year 2017.
Dr Ayesha said, Punjab government is also initiating 1200MW gas-fired power project with a cost of Rs 110 billion at Sheikhupura, and it would be fully inducted into the power system by 2017. However, she said, a grant of Rs 15 billion has been allocated in the fiscal year 2015-16.
In addition to major energy project, the minister said that provincial government was also working on small power projects, as work has been started on coal-fired projects of 110MW at Sundar Industrial Estate Lahore and Faisalabad Industrial Estate. Both the projects would cost Rs 33 billion, she added.
While, 150MW coal power projects worth Rs 90 billion are being installed near load-centres in cities of Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad and Sialkot. The Punjab government also initiated four hydel projects of 20MW each at Head Marala, Pakpattan, Chiyanwali and Deg Outfall, which would cost Rs 10 billion. The Marala and Pakpattan hydel power projects would hopefully start generation in September this year, while the other two in June 2016, she maintained.
Dr Ayesha said that private sector is being encouraged to invest in energy sector in Punjab government, and work on two coal-fired power projects of 1320MW at Rahim Yar Khan and Muzaffargarh has been started. Moreover, six coal power projects with collective capacity of 900MW would also be handed over to private sector, she mentioned.
She said that 50 sites have been pointed out to the private sector for installation of solar power projects and the private sector’s response to this regard is very encouraging.
She hoped, “I have firm believe that these energy projects will prove to be helpful in overcoming substantially energy crisis and rid the people of load-shedding problem.”
