ISLAMABAD: The early harvest projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are moving forward swiftly and first batch of projects including energy and infrastructure will be completed by 2017-18.
With the completion of the energy projects in early harvest projects, 10,000 MW would be added in national grid by 2018, official sources in the ministry of planning, development and reforms said.
In total, around 17,045 megawatts of energy would be generated through early harvest prioritized as well as actively promoted China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects all across the country to overcome energy crisis, bolstering economic activities and promote growth.
Electricity of 5,785 megawatts would be generated through various hydel, coal, wind and solar projects in Punjab provinces followed by 5,630 megawatts in Sindh, 2,940 megawatt in Baluchistan, 870 megawatts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while 1,820 megawatt electricity would be generated in Azad Jammu and Kashmir under the project, official sources told APP.
Out of the total CPEC energy projects, 10,400 would be generated through early harvest prioritized energy projects including 4,4210 megawatts in Sindh, 3,640 megawatts in Punjab, 960 megawatts in Baluchistan, 870 MW in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 720 megawatts in AJK.
On the other hand, the CPEC actively promoted energy projects of 6,645 megawatts included projects of 2,145 megawatts in Punjab, 1,980 megawatts in Baluchistan, 1,420 megawatts in Sindh, 1100 megawatts in Azad Kashmir.
According to details, the early harvest prioritized energy projects included 870 megawatts Suki Kinari hydel project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 720 megawatts hydel project at Karot in Azad Kashmir.
The coal projects included 3,960 megawatts Thar Coal I and II projects in Sindh,2,640 megawatts coal project in Sahiwal Rahimyar khan Punjab, and 960 megawatts coal project at Hubco Gwadar in Balochistan.
Among the wind and solar projects, 1000 megawatts would be generated through solar project in Bahwalpur Punjab, while 250 megawatts would be generated through Thatta project in Sindh province.
Meanwhile, among the energy actively promoted projects of 6645 megawatts, 1100 megawatts hydel energy would be generated through Kohala project in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Electricity generation of 1980 megawatts would be made through Hubco Gaddani coal project, while 1320 megawatts electricity would be generated through Thar Oracle and 1620 megawatts through a coal project in Muzaffarnagarh Salt Range.
Among the wind and gas projects, 525 megawatts would be generated through Chichoki Malian in Punjab and 100 megawatts through wind project in Thatha Sindh.
It is pertinent to mention here that CPEC is a long-term broad framework with multiple sectoral projects, which will be completed in different phases through bilateral agreements agreed upon by both sides as a win-win equation.
Pakistan and China had signed an agreement last year to commence work on CPEC development projects worth over $46 billion.
The corridor aims to connect Gwadar port in Balochistan to China’s Xinjiang region via a network of highways, railways and pipelines spread over 3,000 KM. Work on several sections is in progress.
The Government and all its functionaries are committed to accomplish projects in letter and spirit that fall under the frame work of CPEC.
