ISLAMABAD (APP) - Ministry of Water and Power has said that all arrangements have been made to inaugurate first Rental Power Plant (RPP) of 51MW at Naudero, District Larkana on April 4. The plant is technically designed to operate on gas turbine generating units with 92 per cent power availability factor. The plant has been assured 12mmcfd gas for five years through PEPCOs Generation Company - II, and an SSGC gas transmission pipeline has been linked to the said RPP besides laying of 132 KV transmission line to connect the power so generated to national grid, said a press release here on Friday. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) in its earlier meeting held on August 21, 2009 approved the said project followed by tariff approval from NEPRA within the prescribed period. The Walter Power Internationals 51 MW Rental Power Plant Naudero - One has been completed at a cost of $ 91.65m. The project shall not only give a boost to PEPCOs power generation output, but shall also be a major source of economic development of the area, particularly in industrial and commercial sector. The plant soon shall be upgraded by addition of another 50 MW, which would help improve power shortage in sizeable areas of Sindh province. It is understood that energization of a total of 101MW of power soon shall lead to attaining another milestone towards the electric power sufficiency of the country - a goal which is on the high priority list of this govt. The plant is to be run on natural gas and its construction has been completed over a record period of six months after completion of contract obligations by PEPCO. The plant not only is capable to supply power for over 250 medium sized industries but also would ensure creation of over 100 jobs for technical, skilled and un-skilled personnel of the area. What could satisfy the people of the area is that it would meet 2500 agri tubewells power need which are designed to irrigate 75000 acres of land that produces 1.2m tonnes of wheat and rice besides ensuring stable power to over 1000 average sized villages in the area, the press release said. It certainly would strengthen an industrial estate based power availability from this Plant which not only would create additional jobs but would help kickstart economic activity in the area that is presently underdeveloped and needs governments special attention along with an attractive incentive package. It is hoped that all Rental Power Plants in the country duly approved by the Cabinet and endorsed by Asian Development Banks audit report will finally achieve the same level of efficiency as IPPs and the Government may, as a policy, consider converting them into IPPs if they meet the efficiency, affordability and availability criteria. As per approved policy, these Rental Power Plants will be injecting additional power to PEPCO system and our national grid through overseas investment, while the government would continue to look forward to new investors to come and invest in the power sector.