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Chinese firm concerned over delay in launch of CPEC solar project in Pakistan

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 09 Oct 2021

Chinese firm concerned over delay in launch of CPEC solar project in Pakistan

Lahore: A Chinese state company has voiced its concerns over the inordinate delay in the launch and completion of the remaining 600-megawatt portion of the 900MW mega solar power project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) amid alleged issues related to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), media reports said.

The firm, in its various communications to the CPEC Authority, Punjab government, Ministry of Energy (power division) and other authorities concerned, has sought immediate resolution of all issues enabling it to launch and complete the remaining part of the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur, Dawn News reported.

“For the last couple of years, the Chinese company, which completed and commissioned 300MW of the 900MW project in 2016-17, has not worked further due to various official bottlenecks. The company has been running after government departments for this clean power generation project for the last couple of years, but to no avail,” explains an official source to Dawn News.

He claimed the remaining 600MW had not yet reached fruition because the issues related to tariff and interconnection study reports were yet to be resolved by Nepra and NTDC.

“Moreover, our re-affirmation of Grid Interconnection Study (GIS) and extension of IEE/NOC approvals and generation licences applications are pending with the NTDC (power planning wing), Nepra and Punjab Environment Protection Department,” the official added citing contents of a recent letter the company wrote to the quarters concerned.