ISLAMABAD, Oct 26: Thirteen private power projects with a total generation capacity of 2,456 megawatts will be commissioned by the year 2010.

This was announced at the 74th meeting of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) here on Friday. Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi presided over the meeting.

According to a press release, 554 MW will be available to the national grid by next year and 1,343 MW and 559 MW will be injected into the system in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Mr Jatoi said that local and foreign investors were taking keen interest in the power sector.

The meeting was informed that the PPIB was processing 62 multiple fuel (oil, coal, gas and hydel-power) projects of a cumulative capacity of 16,790 MW which were expected to be commissioned between 2008 and 2016.

Letters of interest (LoIs) were issued to 33 projects with a cumulative capacity of 9,276 MW, letters of support (LoSs) to 14 projects totalling 2,590 MW and implementation agreements (IAs) were signed with 10 projects of 2,026 MW.

The parties with which implementation agreements have been signed are: 225 MW Orient Power, 225 MW Sapphire Power, 225 MW Saif Power, 165 MW Attock Gen, 202 MW Fauji Mari, 200 MW Nishat Chunian, 200 MW Nishat Power, 225 MW Atlas Power, 134 MW Star Power and 225 MW Halmore Power. IAs of 227 MW Engro Power and 179 MW Gulf Power are ready for signing.

A number of companies have also concluded direct implementation agreements with lenders.

The meeting was informed that the IA had also been signed with the New Bong for a 84 MW hydel-power project, which will pave way for 21 other hydropower projects being processed by the PPIB.