ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is actively engaging with Chinese leadership to revive over 1800 megawatts of hydropower projects (HPPs) and attract fresh investment from Chinese companies in the country’s transmission and distribution network. This effort is part of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aimed at bolstering energy infrastructure and collaboration.
Efforts are underway to convene a meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the cabinet on May 22-23 to ensure the success of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Beijing early next month.
A high-level delegation, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, is currently in China to engage with existing investors and financial institutions while also seeking to attract more firms to participate in the transmission and distribution sectors under CPEC’s second phase.
The focus is not only on securing investments in transmission projects but also on encouraging Chinese companies to enter the distribution sector, aligning with Pakistan’s push for private sector involvement through privatization or long-term concession agreements.
The delegation, including Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi and Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, met with top Chinese companies specializing in power transmission and distribution in Beijing. The Chinese firms showcased their expertise and proposed further collaboration with Pakistani officials, including meetings with relevant ministries and stakeholders.
Discussions also included plans to diversify Pakistan’s energy mix towards clean and renewable sources, emphasizing the importance of projects like the Azad Pattan and Kohala hydropower ventures. Both sides agreed to continue discussions through the Joint Working Group meeting on Energy (JEWG) for further cooperation and progress.
This ongoing dialogue and partnership between Pakistan and China reflect a commitment to enhancing energy infrastructure and fostering sustainable development in the region.
