Iran offers 10,000MW electricity to Pakistan

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Iran offers 10,000MW electricity to Pakistan

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Iran has proposed a project which will provide 10,000MW electricity to Pakistan.

25 October,2011 08:35 pm

At a time when Pakistan is facing resistance from the US in going ahead with the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, Iran has proposed an electricity supply project which will provide 10,000 megawatts in the second year of its operation.The quantity is more than the production of independent power producers in the country and almost half the country’s total production capacity. Under an extensive package to resolve the energy crisis, Iran has also offered to build an oil pipeline and set up a refinery at Gwadar Port to provide oil on long-term deferred payment.The country’s power production ranges between 5,000 megawatts and 14,800 megawatts against total installed capacity of 20,800MW. Internationally, 80 per cent power can be generated from the total installed capacity but Pakistan’s generation capability stands at 65 per cent due to inadequate upgrading of plants, poor maintenance and circular debt.Under a plan submitted to the government, Iran will provide 1,000MW of electricity in the first year of the programme and increase it nine-fold to 10,000MW in the second year, sources said.Iran made the offer during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Tehran on July 15.