Accord inked with Chinese company for hydropower project

PESHAWAR: A Chinese company will complete the Sukki Kinari Hydro power Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will generate 870 megawatts electricity.

The signing ceremony was arranged here on Wednesday. Secretary for Energy and Power Engr Naeem Khan and the Chinese company official signed the document. Provincial Minister for Energy and Power Muhammad Atif Khan and Chief Executive Officer of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation Akbar Ayub Khan were present as well.

Minister Muhammad Atif Khan said the provincial government was taking steps to complete the energy projects. He said the Sukki Kinari Hydropower Project would bring $2 billion investment to the province. He said the province would get Rs 1.5 billion annual revenue under water users charges.

The minister said that work was going at a fast speed on the 356 micro- hydropower projects in 12 less developed districts of the province. He said 88 power houses had been completed so far.

Muhammad Atif Khan said work would be launched soon on two projects. These projects, he added, included 84 megawatts Matalatan Hydropower Project in Swat and 69 megawatts Lawi Hydropower Project in Chitral. The minister said apart from that six energy projects of 686 megawatts would be completed soon.