The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Power and Energy Department has completed feasibility studies of five projects with a capacity of 1,123 megawatts to help supplement the federal government’s efforts to address the problem of energy shortfall.
A department official told APP that seven hydroelectric power projects with total capacity of 1,978 megawatts had been presented in a road show held in Beijing between April 17 and 19 for inclusion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
“Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with different Chinese companies to fully tap the province’s energy potential,” said the official.
At least $6,919 million would be required for successful completion of all the projects that would be constructed in Chitral under CPEC.
These projects include 64MW Mujigram-Shoghor Hydroelectric Power Project, 72MW Istaru Booni Hydroelectric Power Project, 350MW Turen More Kari Hydroelectric Power Project, 260MW Jamshill Tureen More Hydroelectric Power Project and 377MW Ghrait-Swir Lasht Hydroelectric Power Project.
Investments required for these projects are $182 million, $276 million, $753 million, $616 million and $1,811 million respectively. The official said that feasibility studies of these projects have been completed and they are ready for execution.
Meanwhile, the other two projects proposed for inclusion in CPEC include 409MW Torcamp-Gudubar Hydroelectric Power Project, which requires an investment of $1,534 million, and 446MW Kari-Mushkur Hydroelectric Power Project, which requires an investment of $1,748 million.
The official said that about 900 Chinese companies had participated in the road show and 82 MoUs against 86 prepared projects in diversified sectors were inked.
“To give practical shape to these projects, the Chinese investors will visit K-P in July to analyse the projects on the ground,” said the official. “These investors and companies are taking immense interest in the province and $24 billion foreign investment is expected in the future.”
