The United States Ambassador Richard Olson Wednesday said joint cooperation between Pakistan and the United States is needed to defeat the common danger of terrorism.
Talking to newsmen after inaugurating Mangla powerhouse expansion project‚ he said his country acknowledges the sacrifices of Pakistan in the war on terrorism.
The ambassador said the United States is ready to help Pakistan overcome energy crisis and will provide 150 million dollars assistance for up-gradation of Mangla powerhouse. He said Diamer-Bhasha Dam is among the US priorities.
To a question‚ Richard Olson said the meeting of Pak-US Strategic Dialogue Economic Working Group will be held in Washington next week. Besides‚ Pak-US energy working group will meet in Pakistan next month.
It is aimed at replacing worn turbines with new‚ custom-built turbines that will help increase total output from 1000 to 1210 megawatts. These upgrades will also allow the power plant to operate efficiently for another 40 years‚ keeping an additional 600 megawatts in operation.
The Ambassador said his government's assistance helped build Mangla Dam and now nearly 50 years later‚ it is helping to repair the dam to make sure it continues to produce the energy.
He said the United States is committed to work with Pakistan on large-scale energy projects.
Meanwhile, a press release issued by the US Embassy here Wednesday says on a visit to Mangla Dam, U.S. Ambassador Richard Olson pledged up to $150 million to replace worn turbines with new, custom-built turbines that will help increase total output from 1,000 to 1,210 megawatts.  These upgrades will also allow the power plant to operate efficiently for another 40 years, keeping an additional 600 megawatts in operation.
“U.S. government assistance helped build Mangla Dam,” Ambassador Olson told the media.  “Now, nearly 50 years later, the United States is helping to repair the dam to make sure it continues to produce the energy this country needs.”
Ambassador Olson added, “Our commitment to help repair Mangla Dam today builds upon efforts begun in the 1960s.  The United States was then, as it is now, committed to working with the Government of Pakistan on large-scale energy projects that help the people of Pakistan live secure and prosperous lives.”
This project to upgrade the Mangla Dam power station is just one element of a comprehensive U.S. energy assistance program in Pakistan, which includes renovating the power plant at the Tarbela Dam, upgrading the Guddu, Jamshoro, and Muzafaragarh power plants, and completing the construction of the new Satpara and Gomal Zam dams.
The United States is also providing support and expertise to the Ministry of Water and Power and Pakistan’s nine power distribution companies to reduce energy transmission losses, increase revenues, and improve the overall management of the energy system to bring long-term sustainability to Pakistan’s energy sector.
Together, these large-scale energy investments will add 900 megawatts to the power grid by 2013 – enough power to supply electricity to an estimated two million households.