ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on Monday signed two agreements to provide grant of dollars 587,000 to Pakistan for two different projects of energy production.
American ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson speaking at the agreement signing ceremony held at local hotel said, "These grants are part of a dollars 1.4 million package to Pakistan, and expression of our commitment to Pakistan's economic development under the US-Pakistan energy discussion framework."
She said Pakistan's electricity market is expected to grow at about 7.5 to 10 per cent per year over the next 15 years as the country's robust economy expands, therefore, assured that America will extend more cooperation to Pakistan in meeting its energy demands.
The American ambassador said, "We applaud the government of Pakistan's decision to use indigenous renewable energy sources such as water, wind, municipal solid waste and other renewable sources."
She said these grants are to support the renewable energy priorities of US-Pakistan energy discussions, which President Bush and President Musharraf launched during President Bush's visit to Pakistan in March 2006.
She said implementation of these power projects will assist Pakistan in meeting the growing demand for power and will enhance the nation's energy security.
The ambassador said another agreement was being finalized to provide dollars 810,000 for energy sector to produce 150 MW electricity using coal and added that it will be signed in September this year in Washington.
American ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson singed both the grants on behalf of USTDA while Chairman of Alternative Energy Development Board Air Marshal (Retd) Shahid Hamid and Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Lt. Gen. (Retd) Saeed uz Zafar respectively.
The first grant of dollars 325,000 to Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) will assist Pakistan in developing new electric power supplies through a detailed evaluation of a five to ten MW waste to energy power plant near Karachi.
The second agreement of grant of dollars 263,000 to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to support a review of renewable energy projects and recommending tariff setting procedures, and changes to the legal framework of the renewable energy sector.
Chairman NEPRA Lt. Gen. (Retd) Saeed uz Zafar speaking on the occasion said its after a long time that Pakistan has received a grant from US for energy sector.
He said under this grant, the NEPERA would review its strategy towards renewable energy projects and recommend new tariff settings.
Chairman Alternative Energy Development Board Air Marshal (Retd) Shahid Hamid speaking on the occasion thanked the America government for this grants adding that it is just a beginning. He expressed the hope that USTDA would also provide more funds to start renewable energy projects from waste in other big cities of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan is also looking for more funds for other alternative energy sources including bio, wind and coal.
Posts
