Bhikhi power plant inauguration on December 9

Islamabad: Pakistan Power Resources (PPR) 136 MW power plant at Bhikhi, Sheikhupura, will be inaugurated on December 9. PPR $80 million project took about 6 months to set up and is currently producing up to 80 MW electricity. The principal sponsor of the project is Lahore-based Associated Group (AG), also Pakistan's largest LPG producer, transporter and marketer.

'The power plant symbolises enduring and abiding investor confidence in Pakistan and its economy,' said AG spokesman Fasih Ahmed. He said that PPR is based in Oklahoma and is cosponsored by the state's former governor.

PPR power plant is the second of two fast-track rental power plants that were awarded by the government through competitive bidding process and which have been set up in the current calendar year. Additional fast-track rental power projects have also been planned by the Government.

The project is the result of government's efforts towards finding expeditious and effective solution to the ongoing energy crisis,' said Ahmed. 'We're confident this is the quickest and most efficient solution for providing affordable electricity to the people.'

AG will also be taking charge of the 3x50 MW Lakhra power plant for a 20-year period. The rehabilitation of Lakhra project, Pakistan's only coal-fired power plant, should encourage investors to tap indigenous coal for power generation, he said. The US-based Wood Group is O&M operator of Bhikhi plant and has hired and trained Pakistanis who will run the plant at all times.