KARACHI: Presiding over a briefing moot on the Sindh power generation policy Thursday in Bilawal House here, President Asif Ali Zardari called for immediately inviting bids for short term energy projects, open competitive bidding, involving private sector experts for evaluation and adoption of public-private partnership model by the provincial government, contributing land to become partner in the project.The briefing was attended by Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul- Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Asim Hussain, provincial ministers, Secretary General to the President Salman Farooqui and senior officials of the federal and provincial governments.
Briefing the media persons Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the President directed that the power projects identified under the short term measures of the provincial power policy should be implemented without delay so as to provide some immediate relief to the energy starved people of the province.He said that discussed Sindh power policy comprised three phases namely short term, medium term and long term.The short term projects will be completed in 12 to 18 months. These projects encompass wind, solar and biomass power projects, solar water heating, captive power projects within industrial zones, power projects on dormant and abandoned gas fields, he said.
The meeting was informed that in collaboration with China the provincial government had already identified two potential small hydro projects downstream of Sukkur Barrage under its short term measures which will generate about 10MW at two different locations. The projects will cost dollars $20 million.The President said that bids should be invited for the projects identified under the short term measures by placing advertisements in leading newspapers and the request for proposals (RFPs) for each project be finalised and offered to investors.The medium-term energy projects in Sindh would be implemented during the four year period 2013-2017, he said.
These included power projects on new found gas fields in the province as well as power projects based on Thar, Lakhra and Sonda coal mines.It also envisages acquisition of PEPCO power plants located in the province through privatisation and long-term lease besides development of wind, solar and biomass power projects, he said.The long-term power policy envisages projects which will be implemented in the years beyond 2018, he said.
President’s Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that the President directed that the implementation mechanism should be based on open competitive bidding and standardised terms of reference.The evaluation criteria should be clearly laid down and communicated to the bidders and the evaluation team should comprise experts from the private sector as well.The President also advised the provincial government to consider adopting the public-private partnership for development of its energy projects by contributing land for the projects, he said. – APP
