Islamabad, Aug 3: Seeking to overcome an energy crisis that is hampering its economy, Pakistan has proposed 19 new energy projects for Chinese companies, in addition to a host of hydro and nuclear ventures already being undertaken by China, including a dam in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK).
 Pakistan's Water and Power Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, who held talks with Chinese officials in Beijing during the past two days, proposed 19 energy projects to officials of hydropower companies and banks for contracting and investment, state-run Global Times here reported.
 They include four power generation projects of 2,297 megawatts capacity and one coal power project of 405 megawatts capacity.
 "Economic growth (in Pakistan) is hampered by this lack of power, which we feel can be rapidly built up by the presence of these large state-owned and private Chinese companies in Pakistan," Qamar told Chinese media after the Pakistan-China Joint Energy Working Group in Beijing.
 Pointing out that there is a 5,000 megawatts deficit in the country's power system which could grow further, Qamar said Pakistan government will set up fast-track procedures for approval of Chinese projects.
 He said China will mainly focus on solving financing issues for these multi-billion dollar projects, ranging from dams to nuclear power stations.
 Besides two nuclear power reactors of 350 mw each at Chashma, China has committed to build two more in addition to a one giga mw nuclear power project.
 Also, China is assisting three major dams, including USD 13 billion Diamer-Basha dam in the Gilgit-Baltistan area of POK, which has a planned capacity of 4500 mw.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
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