Peshawar: Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has issued a directive to initiate work on new energy projects of 489 megawatts, while chairing the one-year-performance meeting of the energy and power department, according to news sources. He also directed the department to finalise the modalities on a priority basis and present specified completion timelines for the projects.
He revealed that the provincial government has completed seven projects for the energy sector, with a combined production capacity of 161.2 MW and revenue capacity of PKR 4,404 million per annum.
The meeting was informed that by the end of the year 2022, five more energy-related projects will be completed. These new projects will offer 216 MW and PKR 1,137 million in revenues annually. The details of other energy projects that came up before the meeting are as follows:
The CM said that out of 332 mini-hydel power projects, 280 were completed to benefit 90,000 local residences.
Additionally, 672 mini-hydel power projects are being launched to produce 55 MW electricity and benefit 200,000 local residences.
The meeting mulled the income tax exemption of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO), the finalisation of wheeling regime for industrial consumers, and the addition of provincial energy-related projects in the national generation plan.
Establishment of 17 hydel power projects in Chitral, Dir and Swat districts, with combined capacity to produce 3,000 MW electricity.
The meeting also agreed to resolve certain matters related to the inclusion of energy projects in the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) framework, the provincial representation in Peshawar Electric Supply Company, Central Power Purchasing Agency-G and National Transmission and Dispatch Company, Alternate Energy Development Board, and the provision of gas to Kohat Division.
The KP govt and donor organisations will jointly develop four new projects (including Balakot, Barikot, Patrak Sheringal and Gabral Kalam hydropower projects) that will be completed in 2025, with a USD 1,233 budget and revenue capacity of PKR 17,860 million per annum.
The meeting was informed about five energy-related projects already included in CPEC with 961 MW generation capacity.
Six additional projects in CPEC are currently in progress with a 1,243 MW power generation capacity.
The meeting was also informed that a 10.5 MW energy project is to be developed in four years with a budget of PKR 4.5 in the newly merged tribes.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister’s Adviser on Establishment Arbab Shehzad, Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra, Advisor to CM on merged districts Ajmal Wazir, Advisor to CM on Energy Himayatullah Khan, Jehangir Khan Tareen, and other officials.
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