PPIB approves four power projects of 920 MW
By Adnan Refique

ISLAMABAD—The Board of Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) on Thursday approved four power projects in the private sector.
According to PPIB, a 100 MW Power Project will be set up at Khuzdar by NLC, based on diesel cycle engines using furnace oil as fuel.
This is very important project for Balochistan, which will cater to the load requirements of the area while providing employment opportunities to the people.
The 120 MW power project at Sukkur was also approved. The project will use a mixture of low BTU gas from Kandra gas field and some pipeline quality gas. The main sponsors of the project are M/s PEL who will now carry out a feasibility study for the project.
In addition 200 MW Sundar Project by PIE-AmPower to be located at Sundar Industrial State, and 500 MW Chichoki Mallian Power Project by Qatar Investment Authority were also approved.
This was announced in the 73rd meeting of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) held here on Thursday, under the chairmanship of Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Federal Minister for Water and Power, and attended by the Secretary Water and Power, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Energy, Managing Director PPIB, Chairman WAPDA besides other senior government officials.
A comprehensive progress report of upcoming private power projects was submitted to the Board. Under Power Policy 2002, PPIB has initialed/signed with the private sponsors Implementation Agreements (IAs) totaling 2066 MW during the year 2007 whereas negotiations on three more IAs are at advance stages of conclusion.
The projects having IAs signed include 225 MW Saif Power, 165 MW Attock Gen, 202 MW Fauji Mari, 84 MW New Bong, 200 MW Nishat Chunian, 200 MW Nishat Power, 225 MW Atlas Power, 134 MW Star Power Moreover, whereas IA of 227 MW Engro Power has been initialed.
Furthermore, IAs of 179 MW Gulf Power and 225 MW Halmore are at advance stages of conclusion. Financial close has been achieved by five projects totaling 1015 MW which include 225 MW Orient Power, 225 MW Muridke (Sapphire) Power, 175 MW Fauji Mari Power Project, 165 MW Attock Gen Limited and 225 MW Sahiwal (Saif) Power Project.
Liaquat Jatoi appreciated the efforts of Managing Director PPIB Mohammad Yousuf Memon and his team for working diligently for providing a proactive role for the development of power sector of the country.
He said that due to the rapid power demand growth, more megawatts need to be injected into the system, and participation from the private power sector is essential. He reiterated government’s firm stance to provide all assistance to the investors to develop the power sector of the country.