ISLAMABAD: The steering committee on energy projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor held its meeting here on Saturday, and decided to expedite the energy projects.

“The Chinese government is keen to pursue the economic corridor and has shown trust in government’s policies,” said Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal who also the steering committee.

The meeting was also attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and federal ministers. It reviewed feasibility studies of energy projects; demand and supply framework of ongoing and new projects; integrated plan for generation, transmission and distribution; payment modalities of power purchase agreements; curtailing power losses and integrated coal logistics plan for coal power projects.

The planning minister told the committee that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a key initiative which would help meet energy shortfall and link Pakistan with regional economies, particularly China.

The steering committee has been constituted by the prime minister.

Shahbaz Sharif said that this economic corridor is a golden opportunity for Pakistan. “But we have to deliver results according to strict timelines and work on full capacity to avail this historic window of opportunity.”

“It is now or never. We have to accept the challenge and pounce on this opportunity. History will never forgive us, if we failed to do so,” he announced.

The Punjab chief minister said that everyone, including politicians, bureaucrats and technocrats, must come together for betterment of Pakistan and bring this country out of darkness.

He said that energy mix of Pakistan during the last decade was tilted towards hydel energy, but unfortunately it was shifted to thermal energy which damaged the country’s economy, in general, and energy sector, in particular.

“There is no point in crying over spilt milk now. We have to act and act fast,” he remarked while directing the authorities to complete the projects by 2017 positively.

Mr Ahsan Iqbal said that during his most recent visit to Beijing together with Punjab chief minister, the delegation sensitized Chinese authorities to prioritise Pakistan’s energy projects. The Chinese government expressed its full commitment to help Pakistan overcome energy challenge.

Mr Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of Gaddani Energy Park which has been dedicated as Pakistan-China Energy Park, and said it will be the country’s biggest energy projects to produce 6,600MW of energy.

The meeting also reviewed progress on different energy projects under the corridor, such as coal-based power projects at Gaddani, Jetty and infrastructure at Gaddani, Quaid-i-Azam solar power park, rail projects, coal-based power projects at Port Qasim.

Water and Power Minister, Khwaja Mohammad Asif informed the committee that his ministry was working on strict timelines and ensuring transparency and timely completion at all costs in projects.

The steering committee constituted a working group, consisting of representatives from ministry of ports and shipping, water and power, planning and development and Pakistan Railways to address the issues related to transportation of coal.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2014