A delegation of General Electric Company calls on Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: A delegation of General Electric Company led by its Chief Executive Officer Steve Bolze met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here today and discussed gas-based energy projects in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that strenuous efforts have been made to give a practical shape to gas power projects in the province and under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif all the matters relating to these projects have been finalized speedily and transparently.

He said that completion of gas-based power projects will result in availability of cheap electricity to the people of the country. He said that foundation stone of two gas power projects have been laid and after Bhikki and Haveli Bahadur Shah, the foundation stone of gas power plant at Baloki will also be laid soon. He said that a total of 3600 megawatt electricity will be added to the national grid with the completion of these three projects.

He said that energy projects being set up in Punjab will benefit the whole country. He said that gas-based power projects will prove to be game changer in energy sector.

Shahbaz Sharif said that besides ensuring transparency and high standard of these projects, a new example of saving of 110 billion rupees of public money has also been set. He said that Punjab government is setting up a gas-based power plant in Bhikki, Sheikhupura with its resources while federal government is establishing power plants at Haveli Bahadur Shah and Baloki. He said that all matters relating to gas power plants have been completed in a highly transparent manner and the bidding process is unprecedented in the history of the country with regard to its transparency. He said that these gas power plants will be completed by the end of 2017 and a total of 3600 megawatt electricity will be added to the national grid.

The Chief Minister further said that latest turbine technology is being used for the gas power plants which is highly efficient and will be a trendsetter for energy projects. Shehbaz Sharif further said that tireless efforts made by Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif during the last about two years are bearing fruit and there is no other example of transparency and speedy completion of projects worth billions of dollars in the history of Pakistan.

Referring to solar project, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government has completed a 100 megawatt solar power plant at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in a highly transparent manner and achieved the rate of 14 cent per unit. He said that in view of this rate of Punjab government, the concerned federal department was also forced to fix solar power rate at 14.1 cent per unit. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif gas power plants are being set up in Punjab at half the rate compared to the past and these plants will consume less fuel and produce more electricity. He said that these plants will be among the best power plants of the world.

Chief Executive Officer General Electric Company Steve Bolze paid rich tributes to Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for the speedy and transparent work on power projects as well as metro bus service for provision of modern transport facilities to the masses and said that his tireless efforts are acknowledged by all.

He said that the matters regarding gas-based projects were to be disposed of in two years but under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif this process has been completed within a short period of six month and credit for this goes to Chief Minister and his team. He said that foundation stone of two projects has been laid.

He said that a high standard and transparency has been ensured in gas power projects for which Chief Minister should be congratulated. President of General Electric Company for Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan Nabil Habayeb, Chief Executive Officer Power Systems Muhammad Mohhaisen, Presidents of the company for Pakistan and Middle East Sarim Sheikh and other officials besides Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Chairman National Power Parks Management Company Ch. Arif Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Haveli Bahadur Shah Gas Power Plant Rashid Langrial, Chief Executive Officer Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Najam Shah and Chief Executive Officer of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Company Ahad Cheema were present on the occasion.