LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that energy crisis is hitting hard at our economic and public life and government is adopting every measure to overcome this problem at the earliest.
He said that the agreements of cooperation inked with local and foreign energy companies are being fast implemented. In order to attract foreign investment on energy side, he said, the government has created vast opportunities and is providing huge facilities to them. The CM has welcomed the cooperation extended by international company General Electric, in energy sector of the province.
He was talking to the delegation of General Electric (GE) led by President and Chief Executive General Electric Middle East, South Africa and Turkey Nabil Habayeb which called on him at Model Town. Provincial Minister for Energy Sher Ali Khan, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Energy, Secretary Agriculture, CEO GE Pakistan Sarim Sheikh, Corporate Head Middle East Ms. Vandana and Director Commercial Salman Khan were also present on the occasion.
Promotion of cooperation in energy sector was discussed in the meeting and the delegation of General Electric agreed to enhance cooperation with Punjab government in energy sector.
Shahbaz Sharif informed the delegation the plans his government launched to generate powers through the traditional and alternate means as well as about the steps being taken for capacity-building of energy sector institutions. The Chief Minister said that steps are being taken on emergent basis for reducing load-shedding. About Gadanir power project, the CM said it would run on coal.
He said that the project of setting up Quaid-e-Azam solar park on ten thousand acre land in Bahawalpur has been given final shape and work on the projects of generating 1000megawatts solar power at Quaid-e-Azam solar park is continuing.
Shahbaz Sharif said that work is also continuing speedily for launching small projects of 5 megawatts through biomass. He said that all possible steps are being taken for early completion of Nandipur Power Project. He said that 1000 megawatts electricity can be generated through bagasse and sugar mills are being encouraged for generating energy through bagasse.
The Chief Minister said that we will welcome the cooperation of General Electric with Punjab in energy sector and General Electric should submit final recommendations for practicable projects at the earliest. He said that steps are also being taken for importing LNG and an effective strategy has also been evolved for conservation of electricity.
Nabil Habayeb on the occasion said that we want to help Pakistan in overcoming energy crisis. He said that General Electric is willing to work jointly with Punjab government in energy sector and steps would be taken for enhancing cooperation in this regard.