QUETTA: Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani has emphasized the need to execute wind power projects on small rivers with immediate effect to resolve electricity shortage crises.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, he said “Balochistan used to receive 08 million acres rain annually and with execution of wind power projects on Hangol, Zhob and Bolan rivers in Balochistan and on others in the country will help in getting rid of power load shedding issue”.

He said that presently Balochistan had been receiving only 700 MW electricity against its requirement of 1400 MW adding that the rural areas of the province had been facing 14 hours daily load shedding. He also underlined the need to take suggestion of launching solar energy projects seriously as saying the country needed some immediate steps to end power outages.

He said that work was underway to complete feasibility report for establishment of thermal power generation plants on natural gas-wells in Jhal Magsi, Barkhan, Sorainj and Qamar Din Karez areas in Balochistan adding that thermal power generation project could also be executed in Nokundi area of the province.

He was of the opinion that proposed project of provision of 1000 MW electricity from Iran to Pakistan through Balochistan and another proposed project of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline could cater need of energy requirement of the country.

He said that mega projects of electricity transmission lines of Dadu-Khuzdar and DG Khan-Loralai would be completed soon adding that execution of Chashma-Zhob transmission line could boost economy of Balochistan. He added that bright future of Pakistan is linked with development of Balochistan.