ISLAMABAD, March 11: The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has decided to offer 960-mw hydro power project at Tarbela to private sector on competitive basis.

A decision in this regard was taken at the 61st meeting of the PPIB held here on Saturday. The board also constituted a committee headed by Mukhtar Ahmed, adviser to the prime minister on energy, to evaluate and provide recommendations for Fuel Policy for new power generation projects.

The meeting, presided over by Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Ali Jatoi, was informed that the board was processing 45 new private sector power projects with total capacity of 11,915-mw and estimated investment of $11 billion.

The board reviewed the progress on 24 hydel power projects with the capacity of 6,500-mw and expressed its satisfaction. It also directed the process of two hydel power projects — Shago 127-mw and Shushbhal Zhendoli 102-mw on competitive bidding basis.

The meeting also reviewed progress on coal projects. It was informed that the Sindh government would provide support for development of coal power generation projects on Lakhra and Thar coal mines.

Sindh Minister for Mines and Mineral Development Irfanullah Khan Marwat also briefed the board on progress of various cola based projects in the province.

Speaking on the occasion, MR Jatoi emphasised the need to facilitate private investors for early completion of power generation projects in order to meet the country’s increasing electricity demand. He asked the department concerned to expedite work on all the ongoing projects.