Returning to the Shadows: China, Pakistan, and the Fate of CPEC

The troubles faced by the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—the flagship of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—are perhaps the most conclusive demonstration that the BRI model that has been in place for the last few years is no longer sustainable. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, CPEC had stalled. Not only are the figures commonly cited for the total package…

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Oil Heavyweights Look Ready for a Showdown

Oil producers could be set for another showdown before the end of the year, with heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Russia holding different views on how to approach the halting recovery in oil demand. Renewed restrictions on travel and social gatherings across Europe, along with the tapering of state support packages for companies, are having a chilling effect on demand for crude, just as the…

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The Qatari LNG Expansion: Build but will they come?

In April 2017, Qatar lifted what had been a 12-year moratorium on further development of its vast offshore North Field. Three years later, Qatar is steamrolling forward with the largest LNG expansion the industry has ever seen. If it so desired, Qatar could fund and construct seemingly unending expansions to its already massive, 77 million mt/year, 14-train liquefaction operation. Qatar…

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Energy sector may take circular debt to Rs4trn by 2025’

KARACHI: Engro Energy Limited CEO Ahsan Zafar Syed estimates that if the DISCO operations are not improved, the inefficiencies in country’s energy sector will take the circular debt to approximately Rs 4 trillion by 2025. He was speaking at the online Corporate Pakistan Group (CPG) Dialogue, organized under the topic ‘Fixing Pakistan’s Power Sector,’ on Friday. The speakers at the…

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NSC issuance for KE transaction: PM asks PC to move summary to ECC

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Privatisation Commission (PC) to move a summary to the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on issuance of National Security Certificate (NSC) for KE transaction and future line of action, well informed sources told Business Recorder. These instructions were issued by the Prime Minister on September 16, 2020 at a meeting held…

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Expenditure & procurement: Power Division, GHCL on war path

ISLAMABAD: Power Division and Genco Holding Company Limited (GHCL) are reportedly on war path, on a letter written by Managing Director of the company to Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of four Gencos on austerity and prudency in expenditure and procurement, well informed sources told Business Recorder. MD, GHCL, Muhammad Imran in his letter to CEOs of Jamshoro Power Company Limited…

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K-Electric seeks 80MW more from national grid

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric has sought the federal government’s assistance as low gas pressure and variation in wind power plants have hit electricity generation, causing additional load-shedding in Karachi. The low gas pressure and drop in wind power have led to an increase in electricity shortfall. In this situation, K-Electric has placed a request before the federal government to provide 80 megawatts…

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Pakistan Making Shift to Clean Power Production and Lower Energy Costs with World Bank Support

WASHINGTON, September 24, 2020 – Today, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $450 million in financing to support Pakistan’s transition to renewable energy resources that reduce its reliance on fossil fuel imports and lower costs of electricity production. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development Project will help shift the national energy mix to domestic clean resources…

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