Rs 380 bn earmarked for power sector in coming fiscal year budget: Dar

ISLAMABAD, June 3 (APP): Minister for Finance Senator Ishaq Dar on Friday said that Federal Government would invest Rs 380 billion for power sector in the coming fiscal year budget.
Delivering his budget speech in the National Assembly, the minister said this year’s investment in power sector would be up from Rs 287 billion allocation of the last year.
He said that of the Rs 130 billion will come from the PSDP this year as compared to Rs 112 billion allocated last year.
He said besides, Dasu and Diamir-Bhasha Dams projects Rs 61 billion had been allocated for Neelam Jhelum Hydro power project having capacity of 969 MW, Rs 16.5 billion had been allocated for completion of Tarbela-IV Extension Hydro Power Project with a capacity of 1410 MW.
Dar said that Rs 60 billion had been allocated for two Liquified
Natural Gas (LNG) power plants in Bloki and Haveli Bahadur Shah. Both projects
will produce 2400 MW electricity.
He said that other projects for which allocations had been
made include two Karachi Nuclear Coastal Power Projects (2200 MW)
with China’s assistance, Chashma Civil Nuclear Power Project (600 MW),
Golan Gol Hydro Power Project (106 MW), evacuation of power from wind
power projects at Jhimpir and Gharo Wind Clusters, interconenction of Chashma
Nuclear Power Plants III and IV.
The minister said that broad-based configuration of pipeline projects based as it is on a number of hydel, coal, wind energy and nuclear fuels will correct the energy mix to provide cheap electricity to the people.
He said, improvment of the transmission and distribution system will reduce the system losses. He expressed the hope that steps taken by the government against electricity theft will reduce the burden on common man.