Monday, January 18, 2010

US Funds Pakistani Hydropower


The United States, in a bid to further development and reduce the appeal of Taliban insurgents in Pakistan’s troubled Northwest Frontier, has agreed to contribute $16.5 million to upgrading the 35-year old Tarbela Dam hydroelectric plant. “The energy crisis in Pakistan is an issue that affects everyone,” US Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said at a ceremony marking the signing of the agreement. “Power blackouts cripple commerce and cause suffering in the daily lives of millions of Pakistanis. An efficient system of power generation and distribution is a critical factor in spurring economic development to the benefit of all.” The upgrade to be completed in the next two years is part of a $125 million US funded effort to Pakistan’s energy output and efficiency. The Jamshoro Thermal Power Station in Sindh, the Muzaffargarh power station in Punjab and the Guddu station in the triangle where Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan meet are also slated for upgrades.

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