Chinese firm to set up powerhouse in Shoghor

PESHAWAR, March 16: The KPK government has agreed to issue a 30-year licence to a Chinese company for executing hydropower projects in the province. In this regard, the first area to be handed over to the company would be Shoghor village of Chitral. The Chinese Zhongnan Engineering Corporation will soon be issued an NOC for the establishment of a hydropower station in Shoghor. The company can start the work at the site from the next week. This was stated by adviser to the chief minister on economic affairs and chairman Investment Promotion Cell Rafaqatullah Babar in a meeting with Chinese hydel power investment company Zhongnan Engineering Corporation and mineral investment company Tuny-Pak Minerals on Sunday. He said the electricity to be produced from the power station at Shoghor, which would be completed in one and half year, would be provided to the local industrial units on subsidized rates. He said for future power projects, the company will be issued 30 years operational license and the tariff will be fixed according to the policy evolved by the provincial government. The CEO of Tuny-Pak Minerals and Engineers said their survey team would start its work soon after receiving the NOC for Shoghor project and would collect statistics of the flow of water in all four seasons of the year. The company will start the construction of the powerhouse next year. He said they would also assist the local population of northern districts in utilization of the mineral resources besides providing them with employment and best training opportunities.]]>