ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said the government is prioritising alternative and renewable energy to meet the country’s growing requirements.

“The new energy policy focuses on promoting alternative and renewable sources,” the prime minister said while meeting a delegation of China Power Hub Generation Company (CPHGC), led by CEO Zhao Yonggang at the PM Office.

Energy Minister Omar Ayub Khan, Maritime Affairs Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Board of Investment Chairman Syed Zubair Haider Gilani, Federal Board of revenue Chief Syed Shabbar Zaidi and other senior officials were also present.

CPHGC chief apprised the prime minister about progress made so far on the CPEC project for installation of 1320MW (660x2) power plant in Hub.

The project is a joint venture between Hub Power Company and China Power Holding and is estimated to cost $2 billion.

Prime Minister Khan was informed that the project’s first state-of-the-art and environment friendly unit has successfully been synchronised with the national grid.

Zhao said that all tests required for commissioning of the first unit were completed on Aug 14.

According to the government M/s CPHGC has successfully undergone through commissioning tests as per the agreed procedure.

Prime Minister Khan reiterated his government’s commitment to facilitate investors venturing into Pakistan and encouraged CPHGC to set up waste-to-energy power plant here.

The government had approved the processing of 1,320MW imported coal-based power project at Hub in November 2014 while the joint venture of Hubco and CPHGC was issued letter of intent in June 2015.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority had approved upfront tariff for the power project in February 2016.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2019