ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the progress of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, particularly the decisions made during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China. “There is complete agreement between the leaderships of China and Pakistan on the second phase of CPEC, also known as CPEC 2.0,” stated Iqbal. Highlighting his recent visit to China, Iqbal noted the continuation of discussions initiated by the Prime Minister with Chinese leaders, focusing on strategic implementation to ensure the…
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Govt to Consult UAE on $1.3 Billion PARCO Investment for Hydrocracker Unit
ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) has decided to engage with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding a planned $1.3 billion investment in Pak Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO). The investment aims to establish a hydrocracker unit to convert furnace oil into petrol and diesel. During a recent CCOE meeting, economic managers emphasized the importance of sending a delegation to the UAE for consultation. They also discussed extending the deadline for refineries to sign agreements for upgrading their plants under the new refinery policy. Three refineries—Attock Refinery Limited, National Refinery…
Read MoreKarachi Endures Severe Heatwave and Prolonged Power Outages
KARACHI: Amid an unprecedented heatwave, Karachi residents are facing severe power outages, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 50°C and sea breezes coming to a halt. The intense heat has exacerbated breathing difficulties and added to the distress caused by prolonged power load-shedding. Despite directives from the Sindh government and the Karachi commissioner to reduce load-shedding during the heatwave, K-Electric has continued extensive power cuts, leaving residents without electricity for 10 to 12 hours daily. The power utility company claimed that 71% of feeders are exempt from load-shedding, but many…
Read MoreGovt Likely to Adjust Net Metering Buyback Rate to Average Energy Cost
ISLAMABAD: The government is considering setting the buyback rate of net metering at the average energy cost, aiming to extend the payback period from three to five years. This was discussed in an online seminar titled “Net Metered Distributed Generation: Challenges, Solutions, and Way Forward,” organized by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), the main German development agency. The event brought together key stakeholders from the power sector, including the Power Division, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), Power Distribution Utilities (Discos), Power…
Read MoreChinese Solar Companies Invest in U.S. Manufacturing Amid Inflation Reduction Act Incentives
July 17 (Reuters) – Several leading Chinese solar panel manufacturers are establishing operations in the United States, spurred by new clean energy manufacturing subsidies under President Joe Biden’s 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Here are some notable investments: ILLUMINATE USAIlluminate, a joint venture between Chinese solar equipment maker Longi and U.S. clean energy project developer Invenergy, began producing solar panels at a five-gigawatt plant in Pataskala, Ohio, in February. The plant, aiming for full capacity by the end of 2024, will employ 1,000 workers. Illuminate is investing $600 million in equipment,…
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