CPEC to be monitored, executed by private, public sectors together

on 09/10/2019

The federal government is setting up an authority to monitor and facilitate timely completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). How useful have been such bodies is yet to be assessed!
This authority would work as a secretariat for the projects which are under execution in the second phase of the initiative. The first phase of this multi-billion project was handled during PML-N’s rule.
PTI’s predecessors had also constituted a unit which was named as ‘Prime Ministers Performance Delivery Unit’ and they claimed it was aimed at speeding up the implementation of the CPEC projects. However, the PTI government abandoned the unit in September 2018 for the reasons best known to it. Khusro Bakhtyar, the Federal Minister for Planning says the new body will monitor and facilitate early completion of CPEC projects. They intend to move a bill for the establishment of such authority. It merits mentioning that In 2015, the Nawaz Sharif government had established the Prime Ministers Performance Delivery Unit which the PTI government closed down just after coming into power. Now, the secretariat of that unit would be upgraded into the proposed authority.
This authority would not be run by the government officers alone. Bakhtyar said they would also bring people from the private sector.
Along with the authority, Pakistan-China Business Council (PCBC) is also being established with a view to including people from the private sector to implement industrial and agriculture development projects. Pakistan has already submitted names of Pakistani businessmen for the council, he says.
The PML – N got an opportunity to implement energy and infrastructure projects in the first phase of CPEC and did it pretty well.
Now, the PTI has a second phase of the EPEC to be executed. It includes agriculture, industrial and socio-economic development sectors projects. – ER Report

Cold response on power gen from municipal solid waste!

on 09/10/2019

Government is likely to provide another opportunity to the investors for accepting the upfront tariff for municipal solid waste-based electricity.
Only one company had accepted levelizsed tariff of US cents 10/kWh, offered by NEPRA, for the generation from municipal solid waste in one city while for the rest of the country, there was no response from the investors, says a report.
After the cold response from the investors NEPRA is likely to provide another opportunity for the investor to invest in the Waste based electricity generation and provide the companies a new deadline for accepting the offer, the official informed. “Waste based energy is a bit different from another form of energy generation and here you have to offer them more incentives to attract the investors,” officials say.
In January 2018 National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had announced the levelized tariff of US cents 10/kWh (Rs16 per Unit with the current conversion rate) for Municipal Solid Waste based electricity. The option for accepting upfront tariff by power projects was applicable for one year from the date of notification in the official gazette by the government.
The levelized tariff of US cents 10/kWh based on 25years operational period had been announced with an overall capacity of 250MW wherein share of each province and Federal Territory have been kept at 50MW each. Talking about the upfront tariff of US10 cents, the official said that the price is lowest in comparison to India, China and Turkey. In China, the prices per unit waste-based energy is US 12cents, Turkey13 cents and India11.5 cents.
In Pakistan, roughly more than 20 million tons of municipal solid waste is generated with an annual growth rate of 2.4pc. All major cities i.e. Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta are facing enormous challenges in tackling the problem of urban waste. Thousands of people die every year due to waste-related diseases. Considering the environmental issues, most of the countries in the region have already announced the generation tariff for Municipal Waste Power Plants and they are getting dual benefits i.e. disposing of garbage and generation of electricity through garbage.
The assessment of the tariff has been made on the basis of project cost of $ 3.5 million per MW keeping in view the available reference prices in the region. The construction period for such kind of power plants has been fixed as 24 months. Only for Lahore, a Chinese company had obtained the license while for the rest of the country NEPRA will extend the offer, said the official. Nepra had already approved the grant of power generation license to Lahore Xingzhong Renewable Energy Company Limited for setting up 40MW municipal waste-based power plant in Punjab.
The company will set up Pakistan’s first waste-to-energy plant with 40MW production capacity in Lakhodair, district Lahore. It will deploy a state of the art incineration type generation facility and the most suitable waste-to-energy technology, said a spokesman of the NEPRA. “You don’t have any other option but to disposed off the waste in a productive manner by using it for the power generation or the waste play havoc to the environment and lives of the people,” said the official.

CPHGC’s 1,320MW project in Balochistan commercially operational

on 09/10/2019

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) said last week that the China Power Hub Generation Company (CPHGC)’s 1,320MW coal-fired power project in Balochistan was now commercially operational.
“M/s CPHGC has successfully undergone through commissioning tests as per the agreed procedure. The engineer has certified the successful commissioning of the complex,” said a CPPA notification
The company also declared that CPHGC 1,320MW coal-fired power project which was included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was commercially operational.
The Hub Power Company Ltd. (HUBCO) and China Power International Holding are partners in the project. They announced its 1,320MW imported coal power plant and integrated jetty with coal transshipment capacity of 4.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
The CPHGC project was among early harvest energy projects under CPEC framework and was developed in record time, as per schedule and within projected costs.
It will add 9 billion kWh of electricity to the national grid every year, meeting the electricity needs of four million households in the country, says a report.
The project’s two units achieved synchronization with the National Grid on December 28, 2018, and May 28, 2019, respectively, while the Integrated Coal Jetty became operational in December 2018 with the arrival of the first shipment of coal.
At present, the Hub Power Company Limited produces over 2,920MW through its four plants in Balochistan, Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
The government had approved the processing of 1,320MW imported coal-based power project at Hub in November 2014 and the joint venture of Hubco and CPIH was issued a letter of intent in June 2015.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) had approved the upfront tariff for the power project in February 2016.
The Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of the CPEC included a 660MW unit of the project in the list of ‘priority projects’ and the remaining 660MW in ‘actively promoted projects’ under CPEC framework agreement of Nov 8, 2014.
As the questions about ‘capacity trap’ started arising, the government had decided in 2016 to give up one of the two 660MW plants to contain reliance on imported fuels and reduce foreign exchange losses. However, it was compelled to restore the full capacity after the Chinese partner of the joint venture took up the matter at the highest level and then followed it up at the 6th JCC meeting in December 2016.
The Pakistan government was told that the commercial viability of the Hub power project on supercritical technology was possible only with 1,320MW for which it had also been given tariff by Nepra at the request of Islamabad. It also took the stance that negotiations and processing of the project starting in November 2014 pertained to 1,320MW for which financial arrangements had also been ensured and its unilateral reduction to 660MW at an advanced stage was unacceptable.

DUE&T launches Manchar Lake rehabilitation project Sindh’s three universities, PCSIR to extend helping hand, team visits the lake

on 09/10/2019

Dawood University of Engineering and Technology (DUE&T) has joined hands with Karachi University, Sindh University and Mehran University of Engineering & Technology (MUE&T) and PCSIR to lunch a project on “Rehabilitation of Manchar Lake”.
The university has constituted a team comprising Environmental Engineers, Aquatic Biologists, Architects, Chemical Engineers, Nano Material Scientists, and Water Experts.
The team has visited Manchar Lake in Mid August for observation and developing the Project.
A preparatory note for Manchar Lake prepared by Vice Chancellor Dr. Faizullah Abbasi and Dr. Ghulam Mujtaba talks about the remediation treatments for Eutrophic Lakes.
Remediation Treatments for Eutrophic Lakes – Reference to Manchar
Eutrophication causes pronounced deterioration of water quality and widespread environmental problems. Lakes, generally, deteriorate due to excessive loading of nutrients, organic matter, and silt, which increased primary producer biomass and reduced water quality. Eutrophication occurs both due to external sources and internal sources. In the case of Manchar, we need to analyze both and if possible, quantify the impact of each in Manchar’s eutrophication.
Lakes are generally classified as under:
Oligotrophic – low nutrients and biologically unproductive
Mesotrophic – intermediate state of nutrient availability and biological productivity
Eutrophic – nutrient-rich and highly productive
Hypereutrophic – extreme condition of the eutrophic state Need to analyze Manchar for its classification.
Some lake management techniques:
Reduction of external loading
In lake remediation – limiting and controlling the sediment or plankton algae, etc.
However, it is believed that for most in lake techniques to be effective, important external loading sources should be evaluated and controlled. Thus, at Manchar, collection of samples of water and sediments from several points is imperative.
In lake Biological, Physical, and Chemical Treatments:
Biomanipulation – the grazing of algae by large zooplankton. Daphnia enhancement by eliminating planktivorous fish through physical removal or increased piscivory.
“Removal of macrophytes – removing macrophyte biomass from lakes removes nutrient decomposition of organic matter, contributes to oxygen deficiency and sediments phosphorus release, which can be alleviated by macrophyte removal.
Hypolimnetic withdrawal – nutrient-enriched hypolimnetic waters can be preferentially removed. Through siphoning, pumping or selective discharge instead of low nutrient surface water.
Dilution and Flushing – Dilution involves the addition of low nutrient water to reduce lake nutrient concentration. Flushing is the removal of algal biomass.
Hypolimnetic aeration and oxygenation – highly effective at increasing dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion without destratifying.
Artificial circulation – this is used to prevent or eliminate thermal stratification. It can improve dissolved oxygen and reduces iron and manganese, light to limit algal growth.
Dredging and removal of sediments – it can control both algae and macrophytes. Restrict internal loading.
Phosphorus inactivation and capping – internal phosphorus release is a significant source that could delay recovery of the lake and can be controlled by the addition of alum.
Sediment oxidation – this method reduces internal loading in lakes.
Algicide – this is an older method that has lost its use. It involves the addition of copper sulfate and other algicides.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is generally agreed that in lake remediation technologies will usually fail to provide long term relief unless external loads of nutrients are reduced or controlled. The primary aim of in lake remediation methods is to decrease factors that slow lake recovery following reductions of external loads. – ER Report

Surprise-move of constructing Sindh Barrage creates doubts ‘Islamabad floats ‘Sindh Barrage’, Sindh studies ‘Delta Barrage’, consultation appears nowhere!

on 09/10/2019

Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally approved a barrage on Indus River upstream of Sindh’s delta. The project is aimed at addressing the long-standing water-related issues in Sindh’s areas downstream Kotri Barrage. Also, it is meant to supplement drinking water to the cosmopolitan city of Karachi.
The project which is located about 45km upstream of River’s outfall into the sea, 65km south of Thatta and 130km east of Karachi city, has been named `Sindh Barrage.
The project is being floated as a mega scheme to address water issues in downstream of Kotri Barrage. The issues include sea intrusion in the delta, the adverse impact of climate change, loss of wetland habitats, mangroves and marine life, non-availability of fresh water for irrigation and domestic use and resultant mass migration.
WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (R) Muzammil claims it’s a unique project that will not only help the government finally end the water-related issues but also bring back life in the area.
The barrage will store 2 to 3 MAF and utilize 4.1 MAF of valuable resources. The objectives include reduction in seawater intrusion and improvement in mangrove growth and marine life, irrigation water supply (5000 cusecs) to surrounding areas, improvement of the ecology of Indus river downstream of Kotri, flood mitigation for surrounding 75,000 acres land and supply of 1000 MGD to Karachi and other towns.
PC-II for the feasibility study of the project would cost Rs350 million approximately.
The proposed project is scheduled to be completed in December 2024 by adopting a fast-track strategy. Wapda plans to commence the feasibility study next month followed by its vetting by international consultants by December 2020 and completion of detailed engineering design by December 2021, says authority’s papers.
The construction of the project will start in January 2022 and be complete in December 2024.
Devastation in delta
The Indus Delta—the 5th largest in the world—has shrunk from 12,900 square kilometers to just 1,000 square kilometers raising a serious alarm in the 200-year period.
The contraction of the delta has reached 92 percent, shows a study conducted by a team of five academics of the US Aid-supported Centre for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCASW) at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro.
The study led by a researcher Prof Dr Altaf Ali Siyal took 15 months to establish the facts.
The researchers looked into changes taking place since 1833 when this great delta was stretched over 12,900 sq km. It began shrinking for two reasons. One, the human factor and the other, continuous reduction in the flow of river water into the sea. It can be judged by a revelation that the delta had as many as 17 active creeks which have reduced to just two only. They include Khobar and Khar creeks.
Not only the delta but also threatened is the mangroves forest—the 7th biggest in the world and fed by this delta. Now, it is confronted with sea intrusion and salinity due to declining river flows. Climate change has added more threats to the milieu.
The researchers studied satellite images of the Indus delta’s creeks of the last 45 years starting from 1972. The creeks were divided into four zones, with two each on the right and left banks of the river. On the left side, the area from Sir Creek to Wari Creek was designated as zone I while the area between Wari and Khobar creeks was termed zone II. On the right side, the area between Khobar and Daboo creeks was designated as zone III while the area between Daboo and Phitti creeks was termed zone IV.
The study measured the shoreline erosion rate to be 45.69 meters per year in the zone I and 52.1m per year in zone II. In zone III and zone IV, 27.21m per year and 31.43m per year erosion were calculated respectively.
The highest intrusion was observed in zone II where the sea has encroached upon 1.24km, followed by zone I where 1.1km was conquered by the sea.
The Indus delta lies in Thatta and Sujawal districts. According to the study, the latter district, which is located on the left bank, has suffered more from the erosion.
During the last four-and-a-half decades, the sea also added 42,609 hectares of delta in its tidal flood plain (TFP), which is submerged during high tide. In 1972, the pace of TFP was measured at 7.1%, whereas by 2017, it almost tripled to over 18%.
Some 81,324 hectares of the TFP is covered by mangroves, including thick mangroves, which occupy 36,245 hectares and thin mangroves, which occupy 45,079 hectares. However, the total percentage of the TFP covered by mangroves is just 12%.
Water bodies containing seawater in the delta have doubled from 1,600 sq km to 3,000 sq km, Prof Siyal said. “We find a lake after every two to three kilometers in the delta,” he added.
The research also studied the effects of sea intrusion on the local population. According to it, 76% of locals use underground water to drink, which has become brackish and saline in over 88% area of the delta.
Turbidity, electrical conductivity, acidity level and percentages of chloride and arsenic in the underground water have been found far beyond the World Health Organisation’s permissible limits.
Besides the sea intrusion, the study also researched changes in temperature and perspiration. It found that from 1960 to 1990, an average of 100 millimeters of rain was recorded during the monsoon in July. However, during the period from 1990 to 2015, a drop of 40% in rainfall was recorded. Similarly, the average temperature from March to July also showed an increase in the period from 1990 to 2015.
According to the study, the delta produced 5,000 tons of fish in 1951. But the catch has now drastically slumped to only 295 tons.
The researchers have proposed the construction of a sea levee covering at least 200km of the coastline. Also, they call for increasing the flow of water in the Pinyari and KB Feeder canals, restoring 15 defunct creeks, plantation of mangroves, cultivation of halophytes, increasing farming of shrimps and crabs, releasing 10 million acre-feet of water downstream Kotri barrage and promoting tourism.
What Sindh government thinks about Sindh Barrage
Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh for irrigation Ashfaq Memon says Sindh government had already included the feasibility study of Delta Barrage in the current Annual Development Program of the Sindh government.
The objectives of the authority for constructing a dam downstream of Kotri and the aims of the Sindh government do not clash and they instead converge at the same point.
Some people in Sindh government say WAPDA has emulated Sindh’s project as they had already made it a part of their ADP 2019-20. Sindh government has earmarked an amount for the feasibility study for the barrage.
Some 3 to 4 years back, the Senate Committee on water led by then Senator Dr. Karim Khuwaja had extensively deliberated upon the devastation in deltaic areas of Sindh. After a series of meetings, the committee compiled a comprehensive report which also had the construction of a barrage in its recommendations.
Ashfaq Memon who had also attended few such meetings said the report was shared with the federal as well the Sindh government. Thus, the suggested remedies were available at Islamabad as well as Karachi.
He told Engineering Review that the barrage was important for stopping devastation downstream Kotri and also for providing drinking water to Karachi which is Sindh’s capital. The provincial government has been asking the center for allocating 1200 cusecs of water to Karachi from the federal pool as Karachi houses the population from across the country. This barrage may be the point where Karachi would be given water be it from Sindh’s share or from the joint share.
A surprise project
No one in Sindh or a scant number of people in Sindh province knew that WAPDA was to move the Sindh Barrage project. A number of informed irrigation experts were blank when Engineering Review talked to them about the project. ‘There was no consultation with Sindh and thus they were totally blank’, said one of them.
The element of surprise has created doubts in the province and many smell a move which some people say maybe against the interests of the province. A Sindh government officer suspects the project may be aimed at creating a justification for constructing Kala Bagh Dam on the Indus River.n