Pakistan to seek China's help in 19 power projects: talks in Beijing from August 1

Pakistan and China are holding first energy sector-specific dialogue under Pak-China Joint Energy Working Group (JEWG), in which Pakistan will seek Chinese assistance for 19 projects, including Pak-Iran gas pipeline and Thar coal power project, official sources told Business Recorder. Pakistan's team will be led by the Minister for Water and Power, Naveed Qamar in the two-day dialogue to be held on August 1-2.
The projects, which will be tabled by the Pakistan side for assistance, are as follows: Thar coal mining and infrastructure development; 405 mw integrated coal mine and power project; Tarbat dam; Ghabir dam; Naigaj dam; Naulong dam; national transmission and distribution; 747 mw Guddu dispersal of power project; Uch power -II; inter -connection of 1200 mw Engro and 1200 Pepco Thar coal-based power plant, 969 kv Neelam Jelhum interconnection with Rawat transmission line; Tarbella Jatti 500 KV transmission line; geological map on Pak China border; investigation for geothermal energy; 849 mw Suki Kinari hydropower project; 100 mw Kotli hydropower; 157 mw Madian hydropower; 1200 mw AES imported coal power project; and Pak-Iran gas pipeline.
The Minister for Water and Power, Naveed Qamar, who is hopeful of positive response from China, has said that through the JEWG, Chinese government, companies, investors and entrepreneurs would be invited and encouraged to participate in various initiatives of the government of Pakistan undertaken for the development of power sector.
The government will facilitate and provide incentives to the Chinese for investment in the water, power, and other energy sector projects. He said that the government is fully committed to resolving the prevalent energy shortages in the country and achieving energy security objectives on sustainable basis. He expressed hope that his visit to Beijing to lead JEWG will be fruitful and the country will get more co-operation from China in the energy sector. Qamar will reach Beijing on Sunday to attend JEWG to be held on 1-2 August.
JEWG was constituted pursuant to a MoU between Pakistan and China to promote co-operation in the field of energy. Under the MoU, which was proposed by National Energy Administration of China to establish bilateral energy co-operation mechanism, the Energy Working Group was assigned the task of carrying out co-operation in the areas including oil and gas, coal, conventional power, nuclear and renewable energy etc.
Moreover, during the visit of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in December 2010, under Energy Co-operation mechanism, it was decided that China will provide financing and co-operation for conventional, renewable and civil nuclear energy projects, to be identified by Pakistan. Both countries have termed JEWG as an important opportunity which will further strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and China.