The proposed wind turbines to be installed in Sindh. -- Reuters Photo

ISLAMABAD, May 7: Pakistan and China are to sign two agreements for setting up two wind power projects in the private sector during the second meeting of China-Pakistan Joint Energy Working Group on Tuesday.

Official sources told Dawn the projects were in addition to the several other projects in hydel, renewable energy, coal and transmission sectors that would be discussed at the meeting.

The two projects to be located in Sindh will be set up jointly by the private sectors of the two countries.

A 28-member delegation of China National Energy Administration is to take part in the working group meeting.

The delegation includes 26 members of Chinese investors from the private sector.

Water and Power Minister Syed Naveed Qamar is leading the Pakistan side at the joint energy working group meeting, while the Chinese delegation is led by the administrator of China National Energy Administration.

The officials said the two sides held an informal session here on Monday to set the business tone of working group’s meeting during which 19 projects of hydel, coal and renewable sources of energy sectors would be discussed.

Among the projects to be discussed at the meeting include Neelum-Jhelum, Khan Khwar, Bunji, Kohala, Diamer-Bhasha and Matiltan Suki Kinari.

Following his meeting with the Chinese delegation, Mr Qamar told reporters that the working group would particularly focus on the projects which were held for want of financial resources.

Alternative Energy Development Board CEO Arif Alauddin, who has presented a portfolio of renewable energy projects to the working group meeting, told Dawn that Pakistan and China would sign an agreement on Tuesday for resource mapping of renewable energy resources in the country.

After his meeting with the Chinese delegation, Mr Qamar held a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and briefed him about the Pakistan-China Energy Group second meeting pertaining to power generation and transmission issues in Pakistan.

He informed the prime minister that he would attend the meeting of KASA-1,000 in Dubai on May 16-17 to hold negotiations for the import of 1,000MW electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Orient Group of China chairman Zhang Hongwei, who is in Islamabad to participate in the working group meeting, called on President Asif Zardari and briefed him about his company’s business ventures in the country.

United Energy Group President Christine Fu, UEG vice-president Song Yu, UEG Petroleum-Pakistan president Tariq Khamisani, Lin Yang and Zhang Wei accompanied Mr Hongwei.

Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Liu Jian, Petroleum Minister Asim Hussain Syed and Mr Qamar were also present during the meeting.

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