Energy: Sindh CM seeks expanded partnership with Shanghai Electric

SHANGHAI, China: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday called for a new phase of strategic cooperation with Shanghai Electric Group, inviting the Chinese energy and engineering giant to expand its engagement in Sindh through investments in water desalination, renewable energy, energy storage, coal value-addition industries and human resource development.

The proposal was made during a meeting with Shanghai Electric Group Chairman Wu Lei and senior company executives at the group’s headquarters in Shanghai, where both sides reviewed the progress of ongoing projects in Sindh and explored new opportunities for collaboration.

Murad Ali Shah described Shanghai Electric as one of Sindh’s most important development partners, crediting the company’s landmark investment in the Thar Block-I Integrated Coal Mine and Power Project with transforming Pakistan’s energy landscape and demonstrating the economic viability of indigenous energy resources. “Shanghai Electric’s investment in Thar has been a game changer. The success of the Thar Block-I project has proven that Pakistan’s own resources can contribute significantly to the country’s energy security while driving economic development in one of our most underdeveloped regions.”

Referring to agreements signed earlier during the Sindh Investment & Trade Conference in Shanghai, he said the Sindh government is now focusing on moving beyond power generation to develop a broader industrial ecosystem around Thar’s vast coal reserves.

He invited Shanghai Electric to provide technical leadership and investment support in areas such as coal-to-chemicals, coal research and innovation, coal briquetting technologies, and the productive use of mine water for agriculture and irrigation.

Highlighting Karachi’s growing water challenges, Murad Ali Shah invited Shanghai Electric to explore the possibility of developing a large-scale seawater desalination project for the city under Sindh’s public-private partnership framework.

He noted that Shanghai Electric’s experience in desalination and water infrastructure projects could play an important role in helping Karachi secure sustainable water supplies for its rapidly growing population. “Karachi urgently requires innovative and long-term water solutions. We believe Shanghai Electric’s expertise in desalination technology can contribute significantly to addressing this challenge.”

The Chief Minister also highlighted Sindh’s enormous renewable energy potential, particularly in wind and solar power. He invited Shanghai Electric to participate in upcoming renewable energy projects, battery storage systems and related industrial ventures in the province. “Sindh possesses one of the largest wind corridors in the region and immense solar resources. We see substantial opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy generation, storage technologies and clean-energy infrastructure.”

Shah further encouraged the company to consider establishing local manufacturing or assembly facilities for renewable-energy equipment within Sindh’s Special Economic Zones.

Recognising the importance of knowledge transfer, he proposed a structured training and capacity-building programme for Sindh’s engineers, technical professionals and energy-sector personnel at Shanghai Electric’s facilities in China.

Chairman Wu Lei and senior executives of Shanghai Electric welcomed Sindh’s proposals and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s energy and industrial development.

The meeting was attended by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister Planning & Development Jam Khan Shoro, Minister Agriculture Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Khan Mehar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Agha Wasif Abbas, Chairman Planning & Development Board Najam Ahmed Shah, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Investment Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Secretary Investment Raja Khurram Shahzad, representatives of Sino Sindh Resources Limited and senior officials of Shanghai Electric Group.