Sindh’s power sector offers plenty of investment opportunities, British HC told

The Sindh energy department has been generating 1,845 megawatts (MW) of electricity from wind and 250 MW from solar energy, which is provided to the national grid.

Sindh Minister for Energy, and Planning & Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah told this to British High Commissioner Jane Marriott as the latter called on him on Wednesday.

There were vast and profitable opportunities for domestic and foreign companies in the energy sector in Sindh, he said, adding that the province was Pakistan's energy hub having a potential of generation of 55,000 MW of electricity through wind and 10 gigawatts through solar power.

Sindh Planning Board Chairman Najam Ahmad Shah, Energy Secretary Kazim Jatoi, Sindh Coal Authority Director Haq Nawaz Shar, Alternative Energy Director Mahfooz Qazi and other officers were also present on this occasion.

Nasir said 1,845 MW of electricity was being generated from wind and 250 MW of solar power was being provided to the national grid from Sindh.

The British high commissioner was briefed on work on various projects to generate 100 MW of electricity from waste, 15 MW from water, 400 MW from floating solar and 500 MW from green hydrogen technology.

The meeting was informed that with the support of the World Bank, all government buildings were being shifted onto solar power and four hundred mega-watt solar parks were also being built in Sindh.

The British diplomat appreciated the efforts of the Sindh government and its energy department. She assured that she would make all possible efforts to attract British investors towards the energy sector in Sindh.

Meeting with Tessori

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott along with Deputy High Commissioner Sarah

Mooney also called on Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori at the Governor House on Wednesday. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and investment opportunities in the province, a statement released by the Governor House read.

Tessori said the economic ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom were growing by every passing day, which could be further expanded with the exchange of delegations in various fields.

“The help and assistance of the British government in social sector of the province has resulted in improving quality of life of locals", he added.

He invited British investors to get benefit from what he said ideal investment opportunities available in the economic hub of Pakistan. "British investors would be provided every assistance with regards to investment in various sectors," he added.

Marriott lauded public welfare initiatives of the governor and especially hailed his IT training initiative terming it a game changer for the youth of Sindh, read the statement.

Political parties

The British high commissioner also met leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Marriott met MQM-P leaders Syed Mustafa Kamal, Dr Farooq Sattar, Nasreen Jalil, Faisal Subzwari and Sindh Assembly member Taha Ahmed.

Deputy Political Counsellor Mark Bailey and Deputy Head of Mission in Karachi Martin Dawson were also present at the meeting. The discussion focused on Pakistan's geopolitical significance, the current challenges of terrorism and economic crisis.

Kamal highlighted the economic and political crises Pakistan was facing, emphasising the need for all political parties to work together. He mentioned the importance of support from friendly countries like the UK for resolution of the issues of Pakistan.

The MQM-P leader said his party had the political mandate of Karachi and informed the British envoy about the MQM-P’s three-point constitutional amendment demand for the resolution of issues of the city.

Separately, Marriott called on PPP Women Wing Central President Faryal Talpur and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari at Bilawal House. Mooney and Deputy Political Counselor Mark Bailey accompanied the British high commissioner.