ISLAMABAD: The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) on Friday issued letter of support (LOS) to China Power Hub Generation Company Limited (CPHGCL) to develop 1,320-megawatt coal-based power generation project in Hub, Balochistan.

The project is being sponsored by Hub Power Company Limited and China Power International Holdings.

The letter was signed by PPIB Managing Director Shah Jahan Mirza and the CPHGCL CEO Zhao Yong Gang during a ceremony, also attended by Secretary Water and Power Mohammad Younus Dagha and senior officials of PPIB and water and power ministry.

The power project, included as a priority project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is expected to come online by 2019.

In order to get sufficient and affordable electricity in short time, the PPIB has been mandated by the government to process power generation projects utilising coal, water and re-gasified liquefied natural gas through the private sector.

Two coal-fired power projects — including 1,320MW by Sino-hydro Resources/Al-Mirqab Capital Qatar at Port Qasim and 1,320MW power project by Huaneng Shandong Ruyi at Sahiwal — have already started construction activities.

The 660MW coal-based Engro Powergen project at Thar’s Block-II, after achieving financial close, has entered into the construction phase after its groundbreaking last week.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2016