KARACHI: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China Power International Holding Ltd (CPIH) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation and collaboration in the power sector.

CPIH is a core subsidiary of State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC), one of the top five public sector energy groups in China. The CPIH is investing in the energy sector of Pakistan which is not limited to a 2x660mw coal-fired power project under the CPEC in Hub, Balochistan.

PAEC Member Syed Ziauddin and CPIH President Yu Bing signed the MoU on late Monday evening. SPIC Chairman Wang Binghua chairman, PAEC Chairman Muhammad Naeem and Commercial Counsellor of Consulate General of People’s Republic of China Guo Chunshui witnessed the signing ceremony.

The PAEC chairman appreciated the efforts of Mr Binghua in engaging the commission in very significant projects of coal-fired power plants and added that the PAEC has vast experience in wide-ranging fields from nuclear power technology, scientific and engineering R&D, nuclear medicine and agriculture.

Mr Naeem disclosed that PAEC has acquired expertise in design and construction of power plants and also has well-established set ups for quality control and safety standards of power plants.

The Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), which was established in 1970s with the help of China, has been playing a significant role in the industrial development. “The HMC-3 facility has manufactured and supplied a large number of equipment for local nuclear power plants and is licensed for nuclear safety class manufacturing,” he said.

Mr Binghua said his corporation is committed to building an international innovative and integrated energy group with core competence.

He disclosed SPIC is currently operating in over 35 countries including Pakistan, Australia, Japan, Malta, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil Myanmar etc.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017