ISLAMABAD: The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) is processing 32 multiple fuel-based power projects of 20,686 megawatts, which are in various stages of development, the body informed the Ministry of Energy in a recent presentation.

The PPIB is also taking part in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by processing 12 multiple fuel-based projects of 10,934MW and the Matiari-Lahore transmission line.

In recent years, the PPIB issued letters of interest for 22 power projects of 17,090MW and letters of support for 15 projects of 13,150MW. Eleven projects of 10,275MW achieved financial close and commenced construction.

Power projects of 4,932MW have been commissioned and completed. The target to complete and commission eight projects of around 7,400MW by 2018 is likely to be achieved. A total of 19 independent power projects of around 15,000MW are scheduled to be completed by 2021.

Commercial operations of coal-based power project of 1,320MW at Port Qasim are expected to be achieved in the first quarter of 2018.

The PPIB stated that the completion of large-scale coal-based power plants will bridge the demand-supply gap.

Four re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG)-based power projects of around 4,900MW have also been approved. Three of them have already been commissioned with a capacity of around 2,300MW. Commercial operations of these three projects are expected to start by the first quarter of 2018.

Three hydro-power projects – 870MW Suki Kinari, 720MW Karot and 102MW Gulpur – with a cumulative capacity of 1,692MW are under construction following their financial close.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2018