CPEC has minimised power shortage in Pakistan: Energy ministry

Gwadar Pro

Islamabad: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects have started minimising the power shortage, Pakistani Ministry of Energy said.

Releasing details, the ministry mentioned that as many as 11,650 MW electricity was added to the national grid system during a period of 2013 to 2018.

About 3000 MW clean energy had been added to the system during the said period, it added.

Out of total 3000 MW, 1350 MW hydel and 1400 MW wind and solar energy was included in the system, the ministry informed.

Similarly, some 680 MW had been added to the national grid through nuclear energy source during 2013 t0 2018, it further said.

For the first time, work on local Thar Coal based projects was started in the country during the said period. Thar Coal power generation projects were started under China Pakistan Economic Corridor, the ministry elaborated.

It hilighted that 660 MW Thar Coal power project has already been supply cheap electricity. Work on 884 MW Sukki Kinari hydel project was started in 2018 which would start generation by 2024.

Similarly, 720 MW Karrot was launched in 2017 and it would start supply power to the national grid in July this year, the ministry underlined.

“Various power projects under CPEC faced inordinate delay to the then government policies after 2018. Three power projects based on Thar Coal having 2000 MW capacity were also delayed,” the ministry stated.

Another important project of 1320 MW proposed at Thar Coal Block VI did not go ahead due to government stalemate, the ministry announced.