Cornerstone of 4mln-euro HPTI project laid in Mangla

ISLAMABAD: Martine Dorance, ambassador of France, and Jean-Fran'ois Cautain, ambassador of European Union (EU), on Monday laid the cornerstone of Hydropower Training Institute (HPTI), which is being constructed in Mangla with a funding of four million euros.

“A grant of 2.5 million euros was delegated to French Agency for Development (AFD) by the EU as part of the Asia Investment Facility, whereas, the agency also extended an additional funding of 1.5 million euros for the successful completion of the project,” a statement issued by the French embassy said.

“Upon its completion by end of 2018, the HPTI will contribute to the capacity-building of public and private hydropower operators, while ensuring a sound and skilled development of projects by strengthening skills of technicians and engineers in charge of designing and operating hydropower plants.”

According to the statement, for the last ten years, France through the AFD has been promoting green energies in Pakistan and has allocated more than 300 million Euros to investments in hydroelectricity.

“About 80 percent of this amount is financing projects implemented by Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to develop the country’s tremendous potential in hydroelectricity,” it said.

The handout added that France is committed to support the government of Pakistan’s strategy to solve the energy crisis and fight climate change through investments in low-carbon-emission energy generation in line with COP21 Paris agreement approved by the Parliament of Pakistan.