The 122nd meeting of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board was held in February which was presided over by Federal Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan. Various agendas were presented before the Board seeking necessary guidance and approvals by PPIB for smooth development of hydro and coal based power generation projects.
Extensions were provided to different projects for completion. In this regard, the Board agreed to allow one year extension in the Financial Close date of 1124 MW Kohala Hydropower Project considering that it is the largest hydropower project and so far the single largest investment in any IPP in Pakistan/AJ&K. It was also approved in the meeting that extension in the Financial Close deadline will be provided to 330 MW Siddiqsons Energy Limited and 330 MW Thar Energy Limited maintaining the Commercial Operations Date for these projects.
The Minister said that present government is working on economic revival of country for which electricity is the most important sector. He in particular commemorated the recent visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to Pakistan which paved the way of huge investment of US$ 20 billion in Pakistan. He maintained that under the charismatic and able leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, world’s renowned business groups like ARAMCO and ACWA Power of Saudi Arabi are coming to invest in Pakistan while many other top rated business groups are also lining up to come to invest in Pakistan which will change the fate of Pakistan in coming times.