ISLAMABAD: The Fre­nch Agency for Deve­lopment (AFD) will provide a technical assistance grant of 0.5 million euros for capacity building of the Private Power and Infra­structure Board (PPIB) under an agreement signed on Tuesday.

Secretary Economic Affairs Division Dr Syed Pervaiz Abbas, French Ambassador Dr Marc Baréty and AFD Country Director Philippe Steinmetz signed the grant financing agreement on behalf of their respective countries.

The French technical assistance will support PPIB – which is governed by the Ministry of Power — in its mandate of hydroelectricity sector development in Pakistan while enhancing competiveness of renewable power generation. Such benefits will contribute to improving affordability and scaling up supply of energy while mitigating the impacts of power generation on climate and environment, in line with the policies of the government.

The assistance will help PPIB develop a mechanism for tariff based bidding of hydroelectric power projects including preparation of standard prequalification documents and requests for proposals; assist PPIB in matters related to the development of hydroelectric projects in the country including feasibility studies review; and capacity building of PPIB staff; provision of technical, financial, legal and management trainings.

The project will contribute to the government’s strategy to develop green energy, reduce greenhouse gasses emissions, in line with the French government’s agenda of promoting climate friendly projects.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...
May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...