Peshawar: A Chinese investment firm, China Century Steel Mills, has expressed interest in purchasing 120 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from the Chakdara Swat Corridor to establish steel mills in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Representatives of the company met with Engr. Tariq Sadozai, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Energy, to discuss investment opportunities in the province’s energy and industrial sectors. Sadozai emphasized the importance of private sector participation in utilizing KP’s abundant natural energy resources, stating that strategic investments in power projects could boost industrialization and accelerate economic growth.
He also highlighted the establishment of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Transmission and Grid System Company (KPT&GSC), a major initiative aimed at enhancing power transmission efficiency and maximizing the benefits of energy projects developed under the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO).
Major Transmission Projects in KP Adviser on Power Tila Muhammad briefed the Chinese delegation on three key transmission projects planned under KPT&GSC:
Phase 1: A 40-km transmission line from Kalam to Madyen at Rs8 billion, expected to be completed in 18 months. Phase 2: An 80-km transmission line from Madyen to Chakdara, costing between Rs16 billion and Rs18 billion, with completion targeted in four years. Phase 3: The introduction of a modern transmission system to efficiently distribute 171MW from completed PEDO projects and 1,000MW from ongoing initiatives. The Chinese delegation welcomed these initiatives, viewing them as an opportunity to strengthen KP’s power infrastructure and support industrial expansion in the region. Sadozai termed their interest a significant step toward KP’s economic and industrial development.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is considering taking control of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) to improve power distribution. In a meeting chaired by Sadozai and PESCO’s Board Chairman Himayatullah Khan, options such as privatization or provincial management were explored. Officials revealed that PESCO is facing annual losses of Rs130 billion due to high line losses and low recovery rates. The KP government is currently assessing strategies to enhance PESCO’s efficiency and financial stability.
The discussions reflect KP’s growing focus on energy-driven industrialization and efforts to attract foreign investment for sustainable economic development.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
