ABU DHABI, Feb 4: The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding to hand over a 320MW gas-fired power plant to Pakistan to help it meet its immediate energy needs.

The signing ceremony was attended by President Asif Ali Zardari who was here on a private visit.Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf signed the agreement with his Emirates counterpart Sheikh Dhiyab bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Electricity and Water Authority.

UAE President Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had offered the plant during a meeting with President Zardari in November.

The plant comprises 13 units — five of 16MW capacity and eight of 30MW each. The UAE government will bear the cost of dismantling, packing and shifting the plant to Pakistan.

President Zardari said the plant would greatly help Pakistan in meetings its energy needs.—APP