Islamabad, Jan 13,IRNA– U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke announced that the U.S. Government will contribute $16.5 million (1.4 billion rupees) to improve the operating capacity of the Tarbela Dam hydroelectric plant.
Grant funding will be provided to the Ministry of Water and Power (MoWP), and implemented through the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
“The energy crisis in Pakistan is an issue that affects everyone,” Ambassador Holbrooke said at a ceremony marking the signing of the agreement.
“Power blackouts cripple commerce and cause suffering in the daily lives of millions of Pakistanis. An efficient system of power generation and distribution is a critical factor in spurring economic development to the benefit of all.”
The rehabilitation, expected to be complete within 18-24 months, is part of a $125 million “signature” program announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in October aimed at increasing electricity output and improving energy efficiency in Pakistan.
“The U.S. is Pakistan’s largest donor partner,” said Mr. Shahid Rafi, Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Power. “We really appreciate that Secretary Clinton’s words have been translated into action.”
Other parts of the program include upgrades of the Jamshoro Thermal Power Station in Sindh province, the Muzaffargarh power station in Punjab, and the Guddu station at the confluence of Sindh, Punjab, and Baluchistan, the replacement of 11,000 agricultural tube well pumps, and technical assistance to improve the performance of Pakistan’s electricity distribution system.
This signature effort will help begin the process of alleviating the electricity blackouts that cripple commerce and cause suffering in daily life for millions of Pakistanis.
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