Pakistan, Iran ink MoU for supply of 100 MW electricity to Gwadar

Islamabad: Pakistan and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Gwadar.

On the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Minister for Energy Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan visited Iran from March 10 to 13, to seal the deal.

Khurram Dastgir held meetings with Iranian Minister of Energy Ali Akber Mehrabian. Both ministers emphasized further strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries, besides extending cooperation in the energy sector. They showed interest in initiating new joint ventures in the energy sector.

The minister’s visit aimed at finalizing an agreement on power supply to Gwadar, which was initiated in his earlier visit in June 2022. In a record time of nine months, the electricity transmission line has been laid from Iran to Gwadar – the hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

For the finalization of the agreement, three sessions were arranged by technical teams in which extensive discussions were held.

The project would be inaugurated at the earliest and it would ensure uninterrupted supply to Gwadar which would lay a foundation for a prosperous Gwadar.

The Minister extended felicitations to the leadership of Iran and Saudi Arabia on revival of their diplomatic ties with the help of China.

Iran has also shown interest to initiate more projects on electricity in Pakistan. This understanding was reached in a meeting during the Energy ministers meeting of Pakistan Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan and Ali Akbar Mehrabian of Iran in Tehran. During the meeting, the mutual areas of interest were discussed.

The Energy Minister of Iran appreciated the authorities of Pakistan on construction of transmission line for the import of electricity from Iran to Gwadar on great pace. He expressed his interest to initiate more projects on electricity with Pakistan.