ISLAMABAD: Austrian Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolaus Keller called on Federal Power Division Minister Omer Ayub Khan on Thursday to discuss matters relating to the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in the power sector.
Power Division Secretary Irfan Ali and Andritz Hydro Pakistan CEO Giuseppe Catalfamo also attended during the meeting.
The Power Division minister, while underscoring the importance of small and mini-micro hydel projects, urged the Austrian investors and companies to explore potential Pakistan possessed. He apprised the ambassador that the present government has been working to upgrade the existing electricity transmission and distribution system for efficient flow of the electricity.
He also briefed the envoy that the government has undertaken numerous steps towards minimising the lines losses and improving the recoveries in order to boost the liquidity of power sector.
The minister welcomed the Austrian companies for their keen interest in mega hydro projects as well as mini and small hydro projects in Pakistan. He assured that the government would provide complete support to the investors and companies in this regard.
The Power Division secretary on the occasion emphasised the need of working on off-grid solutions for areas with hydel potential. He said that northern areas of Pakistan are abundant with hydel potential and off-grid solution are best suited for these areas.
Ambassador Nicolaus Keller said that Austrian investors and companies are keen to explore Pakistan’s power sector.
The Andritz CEO said that the company remained associated with Pakistan’s major hydro power projects like Tarbella, Khyal Khawar, Ghazi Barotha, Warsk and Goalen Gol, contributing more than 4,500MW in the national grid. He said that these companies are keen in undertaking the future projects including Dassu and Mohmand hydro projects.
