Sindh updates

[ghazi52]

PM approves ‘Sindh Barrage’ project
.
It can be termed a historic development for addressing the issues, relating to water in Sindh province including in the areas downstream Kotri Barrage and cosmopolitan city of Karachi, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has formally approved to develop a water reservoir/water body by constructing a barrage on River Indus about 45 kilometer (Km) upstream of its outfall into sea.

The project named 'Sindh Barrage' is being dubbed as a phenomenal project to address almost all water issues in downstream Kotri Barrage starting from sea intrusion to land erosion in delta, from adverse impact of climate change to loss of wetland habitats, mangroves and marine life, and from non-availability of fresh water for both irrigation and domestic use to mass exodus.

Sindh Barrage Project has been conceived and proposed by Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in view of the long standing water issues in Sindh including Karachi.

The proposed Sindh Barrage project is scheduled to be completed in December 2024 by implementing the project on fast-track. WAPDA will commence the feasibility study in next month followed by its vetting by international consultants by December 2020 and completion of detailed engineering design by December 2021. Subsequently, construction of the project will start in January 2022 and willl complete in December 2024. The proposed Sindh Barrage project is to be constructed 65 Km South of Thatta and 130 Km East of Karachi.


The proposed Sindh Barrage project is scheduled to be completed in December 2024 by implementing the project on fast-track. WAPDA will commence the feasibility study in next month followed by its vetting by international consultants by December 2020 and completion of detailed engineering design by December 2021. Subsequently, construction of the project will start in January 2022 and will complete in December 2024. The proposed Sindh Barrage project is to be constructed 65 Km South of Thatta and 130 Km East of Karachi.

 

[ghazi52]

KARACHI: The Sindh government is expected to attract investment of around $4-6 billion by auctioning four new mining blocks of Thar coal reserves and handing over management of Thar airport to a private firm.

Provincial Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh took the decision during a meeting of Sindh Coal Authority. The meeting approved international bidding for four new blocks in Thar coalfield. It was decided to immediately start coal mining from the new blocks.

China’s state-owned firm Shanghai Electric Power Company Limited (SEC), which will likely invest over $2 billion in Thar coal mining and a coal-fired power project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has recently kicked off civil works on the second mining block. The company would officially announce the launch of the project soon.

Energy secretary informed the meeting that Saudi Arab expressed interest to invest in a project to convert Thar coal into gas and use the fuel for making fertiliser. “We, along with the federal government, are currently negotiating the project with Saudi government,” he said.

Shanghai Electric, in collaboration with Sino-Sindh Resources Limited (SSRL), has already started mining work in block-II. The state-owned firm would invest over $2 billion in coal mining and setting up a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant at the mine’s mouth, the minister said.

The Sindh Coal Authority’s meeting was further told that the Civil Aviation Authority licenced the authority to operate Mai Bakhtawar Airport (formerly Islamkot International Airport) located near Mithi. It was decided to outsource the airport operation to a company through open bidding. The operation is to be run under private-public partnership mode

 

[ghazi52]

KARACHI: K-Electric has announced via notification to Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that the Board of Directors of the company has approved award of EPC contract(s) to Siemens-Harbin consortium to establish 900 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant at Bin Qasim.

The estimated contract value would be around $425 million. The project will be executed on fast track and additional power will be available in summer 2021. Moreover, the plant would run through re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG).

This project will positively contribute to bridge electricity demand-supply deficit in KE service area, the notification read.

 

[ghazi52]

100MGD Dhabeji Pumping Station is all set for its formal opening. This project will help mitigate water needs of Karachi by pumping additional water into the system.

 

[ghazi52]

Sindh to auction solar power project

December 7, 2019

The 50MW project is part of the planned 400MW solar power park in Sindh that is estimated to attract investment of around $250 million. PHOTO: REUTERS
The 50MW project is part of the planned 400MW solar power park in Sindh that is estimated to attract investment of around $250 million. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: Pakistan is entering into a new era of attracting power projects through competitive bidding to provide cheaper electricity to end-consumers, as Sindh government is all set to auction the first-ever project through the bidding process by March 2020.

To date, the country has attracted power projects by offering incentives to investors under the cost-plus tariff formula, which ensured a fixed internal rate of return (IRR) to investors.

The achievement of surplus installed capacity of power production in recent times allowed authorities to make a shift towards new power projects through the tariff-based competitive bidding.
“We are set to auction the first 50-megawatt (MW) solar power project at Manjhand (district Jamshoro) through competitive bidding by February-March,” Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) Project Director Mehfooz A Qazi told The Express Tribune on Friday.

President calls for switching to solar energy

The 50MW project is part of the planned 400MW solar power park in Sindh that is estimated to attract new investment of around $250 million. “We aim to auction all the potential 400MW solar power projects by 2021 and start supplying electricity to the national power grid within the next five years (2023-24)” he said.

The World Bank is providing financial and technical support for establishing the solar park. “Word Bank has provided an assistance of $100 million for four different solar power projects, including $30 million for establishing the 400MW solar park,” he said.

In this backdrop, the Energy Department of the government of Sindh appointed a consortium of foreign and local advisers to auction the 400MW power projects on Friday.

The consortium comprises Bridge Factor (Pakistan) and Tractebel Engie (Germany) in association with Renewable Resources Limited (Pakistan), Ashurst Law (Singapore) and Axis Law (Pakistan).

On behalf of the government of Sindh, Qasim inked the contract with the consortium to hire its services in the presence of Provincial Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh at Energy Department.

The project director hoped the solar projects would attract an investment of around $250 million, considering the country has recently attracted $38 million investment for a 50MW solar project under the old formula of cost-plus tariff.

“We are highly hopeful the projects will provide cheaper and clean energy in the country,” he said.

Plan in hand to install four solar, hybrid power plants in Balochistan

Earlier, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) had announced an upfront tariff of 5.23 cents per unit (Kilowatt per hour) to attract solar projects under the old formula of cost-plus tariff. “The competitive bidding will surely attain a comparatively cheaper tariff than the upfront tariff,” he said.

The competitive bidding process allows the Sindh government to accept the lowest tariff-bid from new potential investors. Later-on, it may ask other investors to match the lowest bid to become part of the 400MW solar park.

He said the investors would offer the much cheaper tariff than the upfront one, as cost of solar power projects has massively gone down over a period of time.

“The government awarded a (high) tariff of 15-16 cents per unit for the first solar park (Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park of 100 MW set up in Bahawalpur, Punjab) years back. The cost of solar power projects has further cut down since Nepra approved the upfront tariff of 5.23 cents per unit for solar power,” he said.

Solar remains one of the low-cost sources of electricity generation in the energy mix in the country. More importantly, the federal government has planned to increase the share of solar power to around 25% by 2025 compared to around 4-5% at present.

Qazi said the demand for electricity has been increasing by 5-7% per year. “The surge in demand may come comparatively higher and quicker considering the country is set to see acceleration in economic growth going forward.”

The surplus in the installed power production capacity became possible under the multibillion dollar power projects set up under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in recent years. The power transmission and distribution network is, however, yet to be improved to end hours-long power outages in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7th, 2019.

 

[POTTER]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1203361348303966208

 

[POTTER]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1203379757989146626

https://twitter.com/x/status/1203378526109470720

 

[ghazi52]

Signal Free Corridor | Shaheed-e-Millat Road, KARACHI

 

[ghazi52]

Thar Coal Block-VI to produce 1320 MW power, gas, diesel, urea

Thar Coal Block-VI to produce 1320MW power, gas, diesel, ureaThe #Sindh government under #CPEC projects is going to launch Thar Coal Block-IV as a national strategic project to develop coal mine, install 1320 MW coal-fired power project and produce gas, urea and diesel.

This was disclosed in a meeting held under between Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh and CEO of UK-based company, Oracle Ms Naheed Memon in the energy department. Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh said that with the efforts of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah Thar Block VI has been included as a potential block for coal to gas to urea/fertilizer production in CPEC-related 9th JCC meeting held on November 5, 2019.

The meeting had appreciated the concept to include Thar Block VI for coal gasification to Fertilizer projects under CPEC and desired to undertake a feasibility study for evaluation.” The Block VI, therefore is the only Block from Thar Coalfield in two working groups under the CPEC framework

 

[ghazi52]

IFC invests $450 m in Pakistan’s six wind power projects

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) has led the financing of a first-of-its-kind programme to build six wind power projects in Pakistan, named the Super Six, with a total investment of $450 million.

The programme aims to help deliver cleaner, cheaper power to meet the country’s critical demand for energy and reduce reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels.

Financing agreements for the landmark wind power programme were signed by IFC’s senior manager, Nadeem Siddiqui and private sector power developers at a special ceremony witnessed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan and Federal Minister for Energy, Omar Ayub.

The Super Six plants, with a combined capacity of 310MW, will deliver among the lowest-cost power generation in the country to date.

They will be built in the Jhimpir wind corridor in Sindh province and will generate more than 1,000 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to power 450,000 homes.

The programme is also expected to lead to emission reductions of about 650,000 tons of CO2 per year.

All Super Six projects are being developed by domestic companies: ACT Group, Artistic Milliners (Private) Limited, Din Group, Gul Ahmed Group and Younus Brothers Group.

“The government is aiming to increase the non-hydro renewable energy share in the overall generation mix from 4 to 20% by 2025 and it is welcoming to see Pakistan’s local private sector behind these Super Six wind projects, supporting the government’s long-term objective to see more wind and solar in the country’s energy mix,” said Ayub.

“This additional clean power will help meet growing demand, reduce the average cost of electricity, and improve both reliability and security of supply,” IFC’s Vice President for Asia and Pacific, Nena Stoiljkovic said. “We hope this will send a strong signal to the private sector that the renewable energy market in Pakistan is viable and sustainable, as well as beneficial to the Pakistani people

 

[ghazi52]

Sindh CM orders completion of Orange Line in 3 months

January 4, 2020
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2129988/1-cm-orders-completion-orange-line-3-months/
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial transport department to complete the Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project within the next three months, as well as ready the tenders for the Red Line BRT in order to allow a ground-breaking ceremony on August 14.

He issued these orders while presiding over a meeting to review the progress of the two BRT lines at CM House on Friday. The meeting was attended by Sindh Transport Minister Awais Qadir Shah, Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, adviser to the CM on information Murtaza Wahab, acting chief secretary Muhammad Waseem, local government secretary Roshan Shaikh, law secretary Shariq Ahmed, transport secretary Abbas Detho and others.

The transport minister informed the meeting that the on-going work on the Orange Line was nearly at its final stage. On hearing this, Murad directed him to complete it within the next three months, as well as to begin procuring buses, with an initial fleet of 25.

“I want the best buses to be procured; they can have a seating capacity of 40 passengers and standing capacity of 80, or they may be longer buses with double the capacity,” he said, ordering the transport minister to work out the final proposals. He further advised the minister to talk to the Green Line project management and the federal government so buses with a similar appearance and identical capacity could be purchased.

The chief minister also told the transport department to enter into a facilitation and implementation agreement with the Green Line project management. The project is to be operated by the federal government for three years, after which its operations will be transferred to the Sindh government.

Murad further claimed that he had already approved Rs962 million for the construction of an underpass and mezzanine floor at Numaish, adding that the finance department had referred the matter to the cabinet sub-committee, which would submit its report for the release of the amount.

In response to a question, the CM was told that the land for the Green Line bus depot at Surjani Town had been transferred in the name of the project. The local government department is expected to issue the notification in this regard by Monday.

Meanwhile, the transport department was told to make arrangements to shift a truck stand from Mauripur to the Northern Bypass, as well as getting 100 acres of land transferred from the Board of Revenue for the construction of an inter-city bus terminal at Super Highway.

The matter of land acquisition for a biogas plant at Bhains Colony and the installation of the Red Line there also came under discussion. The chief minister said that using cattle dung for the generation of biogas would be easier and more feasible at Bhains Colony. In response, the local government minister pointed out that the land belonged to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, adding that he would talk to the city mayor to have 40 acres of land allocated for the project.

Moreover, the CM was briefed that the tender document for the Red Line BRT project was ready and would be floated within a month, while the advertisement for the appointment of a supervision consultant had been released.

Murad informed the transport department that he would perform the ground-breaking ceremony for the Red Line project on August 14. “The transport department has to expedite all the pending work accordingly,” he asserted, adding, “The actual service to the people of Karachi will be the resolution of their transport issues with the launch of state-of-the-art BRT lines.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2020.

 

[ghazi52]

Preparation to make 3.9 KM Orange Line Metro bus project operational ordered

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial transport minister to finalise preparations for launching Orange Line Metro Bus project in Karachi within the next three to four months.

The directives were given by the Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah while chairing a high-level meeting to review transport-related issues of the Karachi.

 

[ghazi52]

Installation of athletic Track at MirpurKhas, Sindh

 

[ghazi52]

DDWP of Cabinet Division approved a project of installation of 42 water filtration (RO) plants in Tharparkar District, Sindh. The project is part of PM’s Development Program for Sindh. It will ensure supply of the much needed clean & safe drinking water for people of the area.
7:07 AM · May 15, 2020

 

[ghazi52]

Thatta Sindh. The newly established pumping station at Dhabeji for the water supply of 100 million gallons daily from Indus River to the Karachi.