LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said first turbine of Bhikki Gas Power Plant near Sheikhupura will start generating electricity in March.

“Factories are being set up to produce electricity from coal, gas, solar and other sources in Punjab,” the chief minister said during a meeting with ambassador of Austria Dr Brigitta Blaha who called on him here on Saturday.

He said that there was a tremendous potential of small hydropower projects in Punjab. Investment and cooperation in these small hydropower projects from Austria would be welcomed and Punjab would benefit from the expertise of Austria for generation of electricity through waste.

Mr Sharif said Pakistan and Austria had good friendly relations and there was a need to further extend trade and economic ties between them. He directed the officials to constitute a committee to promote cooperation in this regard with Austria. This committee would finalise recommendations with regard to small hydropower and waste to energy projects.

The Austrian ambassador showed interest in extending cooperation in hydropower projects in Pakistan. She said Austria had expertise in the hydropower sector. Cooperation would be extended to the Punjab government in small hydropower projects and waste to energy projects, she said.

She also extended sympathies over recent incidents of terrorism and condoled with the victim families.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2017