ISLAMABAD: Chinese government on Thursday approved the immediate execution of 14 power projects that will generate upto 10,400 megawatts (MW) of electricity, work on which will be started immediately and put into operation by the year 2017-2018.



Congratulating his energy and economic team on approval of the Chinese government for constructing 14 power projects, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that this gesture of the Chinese government manifests the deep cordial relations the country has with Pakistan as well as showing the confidence of the international community in the policies of government.



Expressing his pleasure over the fact that Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) that Pakistan had signed with China in the recent past are now being translated into on-ground projects, the premier expressed the confidence that this massive addition to the power sector of the country would prove immensely beneficial in overcoming electricity shortage.



Nawaz said that the move is a part of the government’s energy road map which aims at ensuring provision of cost effective electricity to the masses.



Our desire and focus is on removing unemployment, eliminating power shortage and bringing economic prosperity and we will stay the course, said premier.



The projects that were approved for the immediate execution by the Chinese government include:



1. Port Qasim (Coal Fired) 1320 MW



2. Sukki Kanari (Hydropower) 870 MW



3. Sahiwal (Coal Fired) 1320 MW



4. Engro Thar (Coal Fired- Mining of Block 2) 660 MW



5. Muzafargarh (Coal Fired) 1320 MW



6. Gwadar (Coal fired) 300 MW



7. Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park (Cholistan) 1000 MW



8. United Energy (Wind power, Karachi) 100 MW



9. Dawood (Wind power, Karachi) 50 MW



10. Sachal (Wind power) 50 MW



11. Sunnec (Wind power) 50 MW



12. Rahimyar Khan (Coal fired) 1320 MW



13. SSRL Thar (Coal fired) 1320 MW



14. Karot (Hydropower) 720 MW



In addition to above mentioned power projects, a few other power generation projects totaling to 6,445 MW which would be completed in the second phase on fast track basis.