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PM opens 404mw Uch power project
Nawaz says electricity shortage to be fulfilled within three years
QUETTA – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated 404-megawatt Uch Power Project-II in Dera Murad Jamali, and said that the government will fulfill the electricity shortage within two and a half years in Pakistan.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, he said that the power project was significant mainly for two reasons. Firstly, it would be based on an indigenous gas by substituting expensive liquid fuel thus saving foreign exchange and secondly it has been set up in Balochistan.
He commended the contribution of GDF Suez for successful commissioning of the project which he said was a valuable addition to the national grid. He said GDF Suez had been a reliable energy partner for many years and was also playing its role in the socio-economic development of the province.
Nawaz invited the French company to undertake more investment in energy projects. He stressed on the need for carrying forward all institutions together for the country’s prosperity. “Our installed capacity today stands at approximately 23,000 megawatts, out of which 13,000 is commissioned,” he said, adding that little time was required to bridge the gap.
“Pakistan is facing acute shortage of power,” he said, adding that his government was committed in solving these issues. He said his government would add power to national system in next eight years what had been added in total 65 years of the past. He pointed out that the Neelum Jhelum project and the Nandi Pur project would add 959mw and 425mw to the national grid respectively.
He also directed the authorities concerned to install new transmission lines for Nasirabad and Sibbi. It is pertinent to mention here that a power plant is already working in Uch and with the inception of new plant, the capacity of power generation has now reached 990me. This was the second major power project to be inaugurated by the prime minister in a week.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif was received by Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik when he reached Dera Murad Jamali. Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali and senior provincial minister Sanaullah Zehri were also present.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk