April 24, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 23: The International Power (IP) of the United Kingdom has decided to invest more in Pakistan to expand Kapco by 400 megawatts and Uch power plant by 600 megawatts to meet the future growing demand of electricity.

This was stated by Mr Vince Haris, Regional Managing Director (Asia) of International Power Plc, UK, who called on Water and Power Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf here on Wednesday.

Mr Haris also stated that Pakistan had become an attractive power investment destination and stated that the company had also decided to put investment for a 200-megawatt project near Sialkot, to be completed on a fast-track basis.

He also shared the future investment strategy for power generation expansion in Pakistan with the minister, wherein local and imported coal projects are a high priority.

The minister appreciated the investment confidence of International Power in Pakistan and asked it to look into the possibility of investment in indigenous coal-fired power generation.

Mr Ashraf would also attend an international conference on coal, proposed in June 2008. He said that the power sector had a great potential and the government would facilitate investors in this sector and provide all possible assistance and cooperation.

International Power investment holdings in Pakistan comprise Hub Power Company or Hubco (1,292 megawatts), Kot Addu Power Company or Kapco (1,638 megawatts) and Uch (586 megawatts).

The secretary, Ministry of Water and Power and the managing director of Private Power Infrastructure Board were also present during the meeting.