Senate Unveils Ambitious CPEC Energy Projects Targeting 17,000MW Generation

Pakistan's Senate Sets High Energy Goals to Transform the CPEC Landscape

P.c. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Senate Unveils Ambitious CPEC Energy Projects Targeting 17,000MW Generation


In a recent Senate session, Minister for Planning, Development, and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal, shared crucial updates on energy initiatives within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This groundbreaking venture is set to embrace energy projects boasting a combined capacity of 17,045 megawatts.

During the interactive Questions Hour, Minister Ahsan Iqbal revealed that research-backed projects, generating 1,110 megawatts, are already in advanced stages of development. Notably, Chinese experts are actively conducting assessments for funding hydroelectric projects along the Indus River, including Diamer-Bhasha, Bunji, and more. China has granted preliminary approval for these hydel projects on the Indus River.

P.c. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

Ahsan Iqbal also shared that a 300-megawatt project in Gwadar has received approval, with work slated to commence once the Balochistan Government provides the necessary land.

Minister for Energy, Awais Khan Leghari, clarified that CPEC remains a bilateral initiative between Pakistan and China, firmly dismissing any perception of Chinese alignment with India in the context of CPEC. He underscored that CPEC is an integral component of China's Belt and Road Initiative, open for collaboration with other nations to reap the rewards of regional development.

Furthermore, Awais Khan Leghari assured that Pakistan welcomes additional investment in renewable energy projects, emphasizing there are no restrictions in this domain. In response to inquiries, Minister of State for Finance, Rana Muhammad Afzal, reported a decrease in inflation from 4.16 to 3.75 percent during the July to December period of the previous year, crediting the government's prudent policies.

Minister for Privatization, Danial Aziz, affirmed the government's commitment to address concerns related to the timely delivery of vehicles. He disclosed that instructions have been issued to promptly release approximately 11,000 imported vehicles to meet customer demands and curb black market practices. Car dealers have also taken steps to compensate customers for extended delivery delays, thereby ensuring more efficient service for booked vehicles.