ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said the study may also be
conducted on building a number of small power stations of 20 MW to 30
MW.
President said this during his meeting with a Chinese
delegation headed by Senior Vice President Three Gorges Corporation of
China, Mr. Wang Shaofeng. Delegation called on President Asif Ali
Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
Senator Dr. Asim Hussain,
Minister for Petroleum, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, Mr.
Jam Siafullah Khan Dharejo, Minister for irrigation Sindh, Syed Murad
Ali Shah and Ms. Shazia Marri were present during the meeting besides
Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar.
Briefing
the media Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that
meeting was pursuant to an earlier meeting of the President with the
Chairman of China Three Gorges Project Corporation Mr. Cao Guangjing
held in April where the President had advised the Federal Government to
task the Corporation to also build a run of the river hydro project at
Sukkur Barrage and had asked the Water and Power Minister to liaise
with the stake holders to finalize project proposal within 60 days.
During
this meeting, the Spokesperson said, Mr. Shaofeng briefed the President
about site investigation and preliminary report prepared by Three
Gorges Corporation of China on the Sukkur Barrage for building a run of
the river hydro power project of 120 MW.
It may be recalled
that China has offered financial and technical assistance to massively
develop hydro and wind power, up-grade the existing transmission system
and provide an integrated solution to the problems of power shortages
and disruptions in Pakistan. The Three Gorges Project Corporation of
China which is pioneer in hydro power project development is already
involved in a number of multi purpose hydro and wind power projects in
the country including Karot, Taunsa, Kohala and Bunji hydro electric
projects. Various wind projects are also underway as a part of finding
an integrated solution to meet the growing the energy needs of the
country.
He said that various options for building run of the
river hydro project at Sukkur Barrage, as proposed by Three Gorges
Corporations, were considered during the meeting.
The President
advised that the important factors such as relocation of households and
existing highways be accorded top consideration in further undertaking
the study and developing the plans for implementation of the project.
The President said that economical viability was also another important
factor to be given due consideration.
He said that besides
undertaking 120 MW power project on Sukkur Barrage, the study may also
be conducted on building a number of small power stations of 20 MW to
30 MW, depending upon the capacity, on the various distributaries in
that area.
The President appreciated the Three Gorges Project
Corporation for undertaking the power projects and offering assistance
to the country in order to find integrated energy solutions. He
reassured the Corporation the Government would provide all possible
facilitation and assistance to it during its work on building power
projects in Pakistan.
Earlier, Mr. Wang Shaofeng and his
delegation also offered condolence to the President over the death of
his father. The President thanked them for their sympathies and for
condolence. Online
