The News, March 4, 2006
Sino-Pak N-energy plan soon
BEIJING: Pakistan and China are likely to adopt a comprehensive plan in the energy sector soon, under a framework agreement reached between the two countries last week.
The agreement on energy cooperation was inked during the recent visit of President Pervez Musharraf to China. It includes development of nuclear-based energy resources. Such a cooperation will be in line with Chinese support that is already being extended to develop Chashma nuclear power plant.
Informed sources told APP here on Friday that Pakistan and China would hold a high-level forum in Islamabad shortly to work out a comprehensive strategy of cooperation in the field of energy to be carried out during the next five years.
The proposal of holding the seminar was made by President Musharraf during his talks with his Chinese counterpart. The Chinese side accepted the proposal and agreed to encourage the relevant companies to interact with Pakistan, promoting mutually beneficial cooperative partnership in the energy sector.
According to the China’s National Development and Reform Commission, the Chinese side is prepared to collaborate with Pakistan in the fields, including nuclear power, hydro and thermal power, transmission lines as well as renewable energy such as wind power, solar power and biomass.
The two sides have also decided to set up a joint working group to suggest and implement proposals in the energy field. In a joint statement issued at the end of the president’s visit, both the sides expressed satisfaction over the performance of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-I and the start of the construction of the Chashma Power Plant Unit-II. Both the sides also expressed their willingness to enhance cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, the sources added.
The Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation is a wide-ranging document, in which Pakistan expressed its interest, seeking Chinese help in construction of oil refineries, gas terminals, oil and gas storage and transit facilities. The Chinese side welcomed these proposals and agreed to conduct extensive bilateral cooperation in the relevant fields.
The agreement provides that the two countries will share technology and experience in clean energy and undertake joint projects. The two sides will ensure uninterrupted, secure and economical supply of energy to meet the needs of their socio-economic development.
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