KESC to generate 180 MW by mid-2009

Karachi: The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has signed an agreement with an international power generating firm to generate 180 megawatt (MW) electricity by mid-2009.

The company had signed a supply and services contract with GE's Jenbacher, for a fast track power plant project of approximately 180 mw at Korangi gas turbine power stations (KGTPS) and Site gas turbine power stations (SGTPS), replacing the old turbines.

The first phase of generation, adding 90 Mw to the city's grid, will be completed by mid-2009, and the remaining will follow shortly after. This addition of 180mw power through GE follows the addition of 96 mw at Korangi thermal power plant (KTPP) and 50 mw of rental power earlier this month.

'We are moving as quickly as possible to install additional power generation capacity to meet the critical needs of Karachi's business and residential sectors,' Naveed Ismail, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, said.

He said that KESC had selected GE's Jenbacher technology because they have a proven track record in Pakistan and the technology could be installed very quickly. Furthermore, GE also had the manufacturing capacity to meet the company's needs for such a large number of engines in a very short period of time.