The source said the representatives of two provinces initially opposed the proposal, saying that the incumbent MD should be allowed to complete the term. However, when Secretary Power Division, Yousuf Naseem Khokhar insisted that the Ministry should be allowed to start the process, provinces changed their stance and agreed to the Secretary''s proposal.
The Minister emphasized that the GoP is working on upgrading the existing transmission network to make it more reliable and efficient and NTDC has been asked to take necessary measures. At the same time private sector is being encouraged to contribute in network expansion. As a result, so far, Pakistan''s first ever HVDC Transmission Line project has already been initiated in the private sector under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) while several other projects are being planned to be launched through international competitive bidding.
Managing Director PPIB Shah Jahan Mirza briefed the Board on various projects being implemented by PPIB under the CPEC. The Board approved extension in financial close deadline of +660 kV HVDC Matiari-Lahore transmission line being processed under the CPEC. The Board also allowed extension in financial close deadlines of Thar coal based power projects being processed under CPEC which include 330 MW project by Thar Energy Limited and 330 MW Project by ThalNova Thar Pvt Ltd.
The minister said that the incumbent government believes in the policy of facilitating investors, and extending full support to them for processing and timely completion of their projects. Managing Director PPIB, Shah Jahan Mirza while briefing the Board on the performance of PPIB stated that extensive efforts are being done to cultivate Thar coal and hydro potential.
Mirza briefed the Board that PPIB is successfully meeting the challenging and ambitious timelines of the current government for addition of huge quantum of power generation capacity in the national grid which is evident from the fact that within a period of less than one year, two projects of 1,467 MW have started commercial operations while another four projects of 5,000 MW cumulative power capacity have achieved partial commissioning as well.
The minister remarked that sustainability in power system is a must to do task of the GoP next to balancing the demand-supply situation. Merely, providing additional megawatts would not be sufficient to gain real goals. Pakistan''s future lies in the indigenous and renewable energy for which serious efforts are being made.
National Electricity Plan and a new Energy Policy are steps to consolidate these efforts which will act as a guide for future capacity expansions as well as choice of fuels, etc.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Power Ch. Abid Sher Ali, Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, Secretary Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Arif Ahmed Khan, Secretary Ministry of Finance, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform, Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain (retired), Chairman WAPDA representatives of Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan provinces and AJ&K, a private sector member, besides, Executives Director and Directors of PPIB and other senior government officials.