August 26, 2003	Tuesday	Jumadi-us-Sani 27, 1424

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25: Pakistan received 24 proposals to build two electricity generating plants in the south of the country on Monday, officials said.

The interested parties included local firms with foreign backing as well as Hub Power Co, Pakistan’s biggest private power producer, an official of the Private and Power Infrastructure Board told Reuters.

The other major local parties include the Fauji Foundation and Engro Chemicals.

“It is a very good response,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity after the deadline for proposals was reached.

The government had invited proposals from the private sector to build two plants to generate a total of 900 megawatts of electricity to help plug a projected power shortfall of 1,077 mw in Karachi.

The official said a dozen proposals were received for each of the two plants. One plant would have two units, each generating 300 megawatts, in the Hawksbay coastal area and the other 300 megawatt plant would be in the coastal town of Gadani in Balochistan. Bidders have to submit detailed proposals by September 25.—Reuters