PM chairs meeting on power sector
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP): Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday chaired a meeting over the issues pertaining to power sector.
According to a brief press release of PM Office media wing, the meeting discussed issues related to power sector and the roadmap of reforming it.
NVS islamabad
Dawood Wind Power Station brings good effects to Pakistan society: Chinese scholar
BEIJING, Aug 17 (APP):: Ruichen Hong, a scholar of Green BRI Centre, has said that Dawood Wind Power Station not only can improve energy situation in Pakistan, but also brings benefits to the Pakistani society.
Hong, in an interview, said many countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) were among the world’s major energy producing and consuming countries. Meanwhile, they are mostly developing countries, with the requirement to continue expanding its energy markets, according to a report published by China Economic Net (CEN) here on Monday.
Power shortages have been a major constraint on the entire Pakistani economy. Pakistan’s power gap is between 4 and 6 gigawatts. The electricity structure dependent on fossil fuels brings a variety of problems to the local government.
Hong explained, in Pakistan, for every 1% increase in the use of fossil fuel, the total carbon emissions would increase 0.226%, which had a significant negative impact on the climate and environment, and was not conducive to sustainable development.
Dawood Wind Power Station, one of 14 Priority Energy Projects under CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor), is located on 1,720 acres of tidal flats 70 km east of Karachi. “Pakistan government hopes to boost hydropower and other renewable energy sources to increase the whole energy supply and optimize the structure of electricity.”
Hong said,”Sindh province is rich in wind energy reserves. Its southern wind field covers an area of 9,700 square kilometers. The potential of wind energy development is about 11,000 megawatts, and the wind direction is stable, the wind speed is up to 7 meters/second.
That means, if properly developed, it can meet 5%-10% of the national power demand.”
Dawood Wind power project brings significant climate and social effects. Hong said,”This project provided 200 new jobs for residents during its construction. After completed, the project will generate 130 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, which can meet 100,000 Pakistani homes’ need and ease the country’s electricity shortage.”
“At the same time, compared with thermal power generation, the renewable electricity produced by wind power station has no direct greenhouse gas emission, while promoting sustainable development.”
“The electric power industry is an important area which affects the national energy security and economy, so it is highly valued by the government. In order to improve the power structure, the Pakistani government has released a series of supporting policies to stimulate and regulate the renewable energy market.
“During the construction of Dawood project, business operator has made full use of support from local government.
On the one hand, it ensures that the government has the right to speak and capable to control the power resources.
On the other hand, it stabilizes national economic development, and results in a win-win situation between enterprises and the country,” said Hong.
Chinese strength impressive in COVID-19 fight: Pakistani student
BEIJING, Aug 17 (APP): The Chinese strength in fighting against the COVID-19 epidemic was impressive, which shows its comprehensive strength of sci-tech and governance, Syed Sajid Jan, a Pakistani student at Fujian Normal University (FNU), China’s Fujian Province said on Monday.
“China makes a good response to the pandemic. We should learn from China,” the 26 years old doctoral candidate of the University told China Economic Net (CEN).
The sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus epidemic disturbed the normal life of many people. But it did not affect Jan so much. Instead, the epidemic made Jan decide to research the coronavirus as he is a major in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
During the pandemic, besides strictly following the regulations on control and prevention of the COVID-19, Jan concentrated on studying the coronavirus.
Sometimes, Jan read at his dormitory or along a riverside. Sometimes, Jan met with his supervisor online to discuss some questions.
Besides these inputs, Jan has written articles on COVID-19. “My first article was on COVID-19 spike protein,” Jan said. “I am writing an article on different vaccination strategies for COVID-19,” he added.
Jan said, the reason why he could keep calm and focus on study amid the worrisome pandemic was that he, along with other students, had been taken good care of by FNU and its staff.
FNU has been providing anti-epidemic materials for us. Workers and teachers have strived to meet our daily requirements. Jan said that thanks to the good care, no single confirmed or suspected case has been reported so far among the international students in FNU.
As a witness to China’s fight against the pandemic, Jan thinks that the Chinese government made a good response, took quick action and undertook its duty.
It has successfully taken a lead in controlling the spread of the virus domestically. The people’s life is almost normal due to the developed e-commerce and logistics.
Besides, the Chinese people also performed well, by wearing masks, keeping social distancing and obeying travel ban.
In terms of future plan, Jan, as a researcher, plans to publish some research findings. Meanwhile, he wants to learn Chinese well and have more direct communication with friendly Chinese people.
Jan informed that he has felt the friendliness and hospitality of the Chinese people in and outside the campus for the last one year. “Chinese and Pakistani are iron brothers.”
As measures for regular epidemic prevention and control are put in place, Jan hopes to restart his journey of traveling around China as soon as possible.
“Firstly, I want to travel in the beautiful Fujian Province and then I plan to visit Sichuan Province. I would like to have a taste of its hotpot and have a look at the cute pandas there, said Jan.
GIS introduced in NHA to optimize revenues, ensure transparency: Murad Saeed
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed on Monday said, landmark Geographic Information System (GIS), has been introduced in NHA to optimize its revenues and bring transparency in the institution.
Addressing the launching ceremony of Geographic Information System of National Highways Authority (NHA), he said that it was revolutionary step under which digitization of the complete information regarding utilities and commercial amenities in the Right of Way (ROW) of the NHA network has been done. About the two year performance of the NHA, he said in comparison with the last two years of the PML-N government and first two years of the PTI government had built 546 kilometer more roads which were the difference of 48.2 per cent. Murad Saeed said that the past two years performance of the NHA was exemplary as the government had taken steps to strengthen the national institutions. He said Sukkur-Hyderabad (M-6) Motorway will bring a development revolution in interior Sindh. He said that the 306-KM will be constructed on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis while construction of Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway would start soon and after its completion commuters would enjoy motorway facility from Peshawar to Karachi.NHA has also planned to build Sialkot-Kharian and Kharian Rawalpindi Motorways on BOT basis and their feasibility studies would be completed this year. Similarly Balkasar-Mianwali road and Mianwali-Muzafargarh Road would be dualized under the PPP model, he said. He said Multan- Muzafargarh-D.G. Khan road was also being planned to be built on the PPP-BOT model. He said that work on Western alignment of China Pakistan Corridor has become a reality and many more road projects in Balochistan were under process. He said that Phase-II of the Swat Motorway would be launched by end of this year.
Murad Saeed said a welfare state based on justice and compassion was the vision of Imran Khan and provision of shelter to the homeless people through Panaghahs was a step towards that direction.
The minister said that now number of Panahgahs had launched 200 figure which were providing residence to the labor class and those coming in search of jobs, he added.
Prime Minister Imran Khan launched the Ehsaas Nash-o-Numa programme last week under which, the provision of satisfactory food for deserving pregnant women and children below 2 years of age, quarterly stipend for children would be given.
He said that during past one week many good news were given which included record increase in remittances, emergence of Pakistan Stock Exchange has emerged as the second fastest growing market of the world, Moody’s declaring Pakistan economy as stable, revival of economy despite corona virus, signing of agreement for up-gradation of ML-1 rail track.
He said trade deficit decreased, and current account deficit controlled. He said that the corona virus curve was flattened as a result of timely and effective decision making and appropriate measures by the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
He said that the most modern housing project in history of Pakistan “Ravi City” had been inaugurated near Lahore and Peshawar residents had been provided access to state-of-the-art and fully self-sufficient means of transportation in the form of BRT.
He said that the foundation stone of Diamer Bhasha Dam had been laid, and dozens of small water reservoirs were being prepared to meet water and power needs of the country. That as a first major step towards providing cheap electricity to consumers, the government signed a basic agreement with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). He said that $1.5 billion were saved in Karkey project which were equal to Rs240 billion whereas Rs 400 billion were saved in Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC). Moreover he said Rs604 billion would be saved in new agreement with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
VNS islamabad
Accord with IPPs to reduce power generation cost: Omar Ayub
ISLAMABAD, Aug 17 (APP):Minister for Power Division Omar Ayub Khan on Monday said reduction in the cost of power generation was part of the government’s reform agenda, and signing of an agreement with the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) was a step towards its fulfillment.
The accord would not only help cut the power generation cost, but also improve the electricity distribution system in the country, he said while addressing a press conference here flanked by Special Assistant of the Prime Minister on Power Shahzad Qasim.
The minister said the power sector reforms, with improvement in the electricity distribution system would benefit both the common consumers and industries, besides decreasing the circular debt.
The negotiations with the IPPs, he said, were held in a congenial environment. The power accords of 1994, 2002 and 2006 were reviewed with the IPPs. The agreement was signed in the larger national interest, which was also inked by the foreign sponsors. It would also promote the industrial sector, he added.
Omar Ayub said the power sector reforms would be made public in next three weeks. Tariff of the state-owned power producers would also be reviewed, he added.
The minister said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government inherited grave power sector problems as the past regimes did nothing to improve the sector.
He said the present government was going to introduce reforms in the energy sector, which would enable Pakistan to generate 70 per cent energy through indigenous resources by 2030. The past governments had changed the energy mix where 70 per cent energy was being generated through expensive imported fuel.
Omar Ayub said tube-wells in Balochistan cost Rs 44 billion annually, which was not being recovered. The total development budget of Balochistan stood at Rs 80 billion and the amount could be spent on the welfare of the people, he added.
VNS islamabad