ECC approves 660MW coal power projects in Jamshoro

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet has granted approval for issuance of government’s sovereign guarantee for Rs39,000 million for construction of two 660MW coal power projects in Jamshoro, Sindh.

The approval has been granted after third party evaluation of the project and authentication of the projected demand and supply data submitted by the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC). The decision was taken at the ECC meeting that was held here at the Prime Minister Office (PMO) on Friday.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired the huddle. The meeting approved financing plan for 1.2 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) capacity RLNG-III pipeline project (Karachi to Lahore) to be undertaken by SSGCL and SNGPL. The ECC directed the Petroleum Division to also examine the possibility of public-private partnership for the project.

Proposal to allocate 10 mmcfd gas from Adam X-1 and 18 mmcfd from Adam West X-1 to SSGCL was approved. The price of gas will be determined as per the applicable petroleum policy. The ECC also approved a proposal for withdrawal of sales tax and customs duty on imported cotton effective from January 08, 2018.

The prime minister and members of the ECC appreciated Shahid Mehmood, Secretary Finance, for his meritorious services to the government of Pakistan. Shahid Mehmood will be attaining superannuation today (Saturday).