ISLAMABAD: The issues of energy and water shortage in Gwadar will be resolved next year, according to relevant authorities.
Adnan Khan, the socioeconomic development specialist at China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, told WealthPK during an interview that efforts were being made to resolve the issue of shortage of electricity and provide fresh drinking water to a smart, green and modern Gwadar.
“We are trying to provide electricity to Balochistan province, including the Makran coast, with the help of our neighbouring and brother country Iran. After three months of signing the agreement, we will have an additional 100 megawatts of uninterrupted electricity in Gwadar. Currently, there is no limit for power supply from Iran, but our power transmission line system can’t afford to transmit more than 70 megawatts of electricity,” he said.
The CPEC official said that Pakistan would depend on Iran for power supply till June 2023. “Parallel to this, the process of connectivity with the national grid is underway and it is expected to be completed by June 2023. So, our agreement with Iran will be for a short term,” he added.
He said that the power plant was vital for strengthening energy cooperation between China and Pakistan, accelerating progress on Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), improving Balochistan’s overall power structure and encouraging local economic development at the Gwadar Port.
“The 300 megawatts Gwadar power plant will cater to the needs of more than 150,000 local residents by the end of 2023,” said Mr. Adnan.
About the shortage of drinking water, he said that work on the Gwadar Seawater Desalination Plant was expected to be completed within a year. It will provide 5,000 tonnes of fresh water per day to Gwadar residents and enterprises to resolve the issue of water shortage.
“The project after completion will resolve the issue of shortage of water in the area. China has donated solar power equipment to thousands of families in Gwadar and built hospitals and other infrastructure that improved the living standard of local people. China will also help in setting up the desalination plant,” he said.
The official told WealthPK that several important schemes including Gwadar power plant, New Gwadar International Airport, China-Pak Friendship Hospital, China-Pak Technical and Vocational Institute, Gwadar Free Zone, and Gwadar Port were also being executed under CPEC.
The project would stabilise the local power supply which would help in resolving the issues related to the economic uplift and urban development of Gwadar region.
