PPIB okays four 920-MW power projects

Islamabad: Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) which met on Thursday with Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi in the chair approved four power projects in the private sector. According to information, the board cleared a 100 MW power project to be set up in Khuzdar in Balochistan by NLC.

The project would be based on diesel cycle engines using furnace oil as fuel. This is a very important project for Balochistan, which will cater for the another gas-based project of 120 MW power project at Sukkur. The project would use a mixture of low BTU gas from Kandra gas field and some pipeline quality gas, the main sponsors of the project are M/s PEL who would now carry out a feasibility study.

In addition, 200 MW project of PIE-AmPower to be located at Sundar Industrial Estate and 500 MW Chichoki Mallian Power Project by Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) were also approved. A comprehensive progress report of upcoming private power projects was submitted to the Board.

Under Power Policy 2002 PPIB has initialled/signed with the private sponsors Implementation Agreements (IAs) totalling 2066 MW during the year 2007 whereas negotiations on 3 more IAs are at advance stage of conclusion. The projects having IAs signed include 225 MW Saif Power, 165 MW Attock General, 202 MW Fauji Mari, 84 MW New Bong, 200 MW Nishat Chunian, 200 MW Nishat Power, 225 MW Atlas Power, and 134 MW Star Power.

Moreover, IA of 227 MW Engro Power has also been inked. Furthermore, Financial close has been achieved by 5 projects totalling 1015 MW which include 225 MW Orient Power, 225 MW Muridke (Sapphire) Power, 175 MW Fauji Mari Power Project, 165 MW Attock General Limited and 225 MW Sahiwal (Saif) Power Project.

Jatoi appreciated the efforts of Managing Director PPIB Mohammad Yousuf Memon and his team for working diligently for the development of power sector of the country. He said that due to rapid demand growth, more power needs to be injected into the system, and participation of the private power sector is essential. Jatoi reiterated Government's firm stance to provide all assistance to the investors to develop the power sector.