Sheikhupura LNG plant to generate 1,000MW electricity: CM

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting to review the progress on energy projects in the province here on Saturday.
Federal Minister for Water & Power Kh Muhammad Asif and Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also participated in the meeting. According to a handout issued here, the meeting agreed upon taking all necessary measures regarding speedy progress for early completion of energy projects. Addressing the meeting, CM Shahbaz Sharif said that all-out efforts were being made for controlling energy crisis. He said that besides traditional sources, energy projects were being executed through renewable methods. He said that a planning had been made for setting-up energy projects through the LNG in the province. The chief minister said that Punjab government had decided to set-up the LNG power plant near Sheikhupura and more than 1000MW electricity would be generated from this plant. He said that the federal cabinet had given approval to setting-up energy projects through the LNG at three different places in Punjab, adding that total 3,600MW electricity would be generated from these projects. Shahbaz Sharif thanked Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for granting approval to the provision of 200 MMCFD LNG to Punjab. He hoped that a number of energy projects initiated by the government would generate electricity during the next three years and the people would get relief after reducing energy crisis. The chief minister directed to the departments concerned to take necessary steps immediately for the LNG power plants and work on laying pipelines and upgradation of transmission lines should be started at the earliest. Shahbaz Sharif said that 100MW solar project had been completed in a record six-month period at the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur. He said that it was the first and largest solar project in the history of the country which had set-up by the Punjab government from its own resources. He disclosed that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would inaugurate the project soon. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the work on the project of generating energy through indigenous coal with the cooperation of China in Salt Range was continued. He said that all-out resources would be provided for ensuring speedy completion of energy projects. Federal ministers Kh Muhammad Asif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi assured that every possible help would be provided to the Punjab government to complete energy projects as soon as possible. During the meeting, a briefing was also given for setting-up energy projects through the LNG in Punjab. The attorney general of Pakistan, Punjab Minister for Minerals Ch Sher Ali, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, MPAs Rana Sanaullah, Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat, the Water & Power federal secretary, the Nepra chairman, the NTDC managing directors and the officers of the SNGPL, NESPAK and PPIB also attended the meeting.