Corporate Social responsibility

on 10/08/2017

 GE, Sapphire Wind Power set up medical centre in Jhimpir

GE Renewable Energy and Sapphire Wind Power Co Limited (SWPCL) have joined hands for setting up an emergency medical center within the premises of Sapphire Wind Farm, Jhimpir—a village in Thatta district.

Jhimpir falls in the Gharo-Keti Bandar Wind Corridor, which has a potential to generate up to 50,000MW of electricity as per the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB). The Jhimpir corridor is situated in south-eastern part of Pakistan between Hyderabad and Karachi—approximately 95 kilometers from the coast in a semi-desert area. This joint effort aims to bring fundamental medical emergency services to the community in a timely manner. In addition, this commitment of $100,000 will create awareness around EHS, and serve wider community in terms of emergency and temporary care.

 

Stakeholders calls for revoking decision

on 08/08/2017

EDB is a must for engineering industry, believes FPCCI

In a series of concern in the country, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has expressed concern over abolishing Engineering Development Board (EDB), calling for its continuity with more effective and transparent role for promoting engineering industry, especially auto industry in Pakistan. At FPCCI communication said Zubair F. Tufail, the president called a meeting of the stakeholders including automobile, automotive and auto spare parts associations at the Federation House to discuss the issue of abolishing EDB.  The meeting noted that the EDB was playing a fundamental role in promotion of engineering sector, protection of domestic industry and strengthening it by giving incentives. The closure and shifting responsibility of the EDB would disrupt large-scale manufacturing; especially the auto industry and would further complicate the situation including creation of impediments in investments in auto sector especially the vending sector, they said.  The EDB was an affiliated department of the Federal Ministry of Industries. It was established in 1995 with an aim to strengthen engineering sector, promote exports, increase technical training and enable import substitution. The board had presented two auto policies — in 2007 and 2016- which enhanced the number of auto assemblers from 3 to 55. The stakeholders urged proper implementation of auto policy, which would develop competition and bring opportunity of technology transfer. They also stressed on transparency, efficiency, expertise and merit in the EDB to fulfil objectives of strengthening engineering sector in the country and integrate it with the world market to make it the driving force for economic growth as the future of Pakistan depends upon the industries particularly on engineering, chemical and information technology industries which has a huge potential for contributing to economic growth and employment generation. Mr. Tufail assured that they would try to convince the government to continue with the EDB with complete restructuring of its Board of Directors by including representatives from private sector, Board of Investment (BOI) and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC).

Thar Airport ready for landing

on 04/08/2017

Built on desert sand dunes makes it unique in Pakistani airports

Pakistan’s very first desert airport Thar Airport—is almost ready. You can land there provided flying a smaller aircraft. It is situated in the middle of Mithi and Islamkot, on a 20-minute drive from either city. The airport can cater to around 50 passengers. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah anxious to fly to Thar became the very first dignitary to land at the airport which has been built for foreign coal concessioners intending to visit coal blocks in Thar Desert. Thar Airport is comprised of four works such as the runway, taxiway, terminal and residential blocks. All are complete except the terminal on which work will be completed by September 2017, said Khalid Mirza, the CEO of the ECIL—the consultant of the project which has planned and designed the airport. The total cost of the project is Rs.23 million. The project started in 2008 and later the construction of the runway was awarded to Ms. Reliance which could not move ahead because of its shabby performance in the past, officials in Sindh government said. The company is said to have used its political clout for getting the project as it did not have any previous experience in con struction of runways. Due to delays, the government decided to change the contractor—the decision which pushed Ms. Reliance to approach the court. The work on the airport was stayed till 2016 and eventually resumed with the new contractor Umer Jan & Company after which the court allowed the project to proceed. Engineer Bux Ali Abro said the airstrip of the airport, constructed by the contractor is 7000 meters long and 300 meters wide with taxiway and apron. It has an overrun of 975 meters. The work on the terminal is in progress on an area of 456 square meters. At least 9 units are complete which include parking area, guest houses, a shed, officers’ accommodation and a mosque etc. All land for future planning has also been acquired. Sharing their experiences Engr. Khalid Mirza and Engr. Bux Ali Abro said it was a new topography for the airport as it is in the midst of sand dunes. Thar has a collapsible soil where the sand dunes move and the sand caves in. Thus, a specific technique used on such soils has been adopted. The ECIL has also worked on other airports including one in Rahim Yar Khan which was constructed by Shaikh Zaid. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will run the airport. The Sindh Coal Authority (SCA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the CAA for the monitoring of the project too. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is also likely to use this airport.

Kachhi Canal to be ready in August

on 23/07/2017

WAPDA Chairman Lieutenant General (R) Muzammil Hussain has said that Kachhi Canal project will be completed in August 2017. The project, which started in 2002, was almost abandoned due to grossly cost and time overrun for various reasons. He said the federal government’s support and excellent work by the Wapda engineers re-energised the project. The authority he said was planning to release water into the main canal gradually during current month from its head regulator located at Taunsa Barrage in Muzaffargarh district to test the canal and its structures. Thereafter, water will be discharged to the distribution system for irrigation in August. He said that 72,000 acres of virgin land will be irrigated in August this year. Kachhi Canal is a vital project to ensure economic development and social uplift in the far flung areas of Balochistan by promoting agriculture and agro-based economy. With completion of Kachhi Canal project, Balochistan will be able to draw its share of water from the Indus River System, people in the area will cultivate their lands and accrue the benefits, he added. During the visit, the Wapda chairman had a detailed round of the various sites and witnessed pace of construction work on the project. Earlier, the chairman also visited Chashma Barrage, and Jinnah and Chashma hydel power stations. Different issues relating to the two hydel power stations came under discussion. In addition, detailed deliberations were also made to enhance efficiency of Jinnah and Chashma hydel power stations.

 

Why MD NTDC was removed

on 23/07/2017

The federal government has removed Managing Director, National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) Dr Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry reportedly for failing to complete CPEC-related projects on time. The Board of Directors of the company adopted procedure under Companies Act 2017 under sections 190(1) and 190(2) and unanimously decided to remove Dr. Fiaz. The board appointed Zafar Abbas as new MD of the company. He was working earlier as director, NTDC. Dr Fiaz who was appointed on June 30 last years an electrical engineer with over 31 years of experience in power sector. The BOD, reports said had noticed that the interconnections of main projects of CPEC like 500 KV Port Qasim line, 220 KV Gharo line, 500 KV Rahim Yar Khan-Moro line (3rd Circuit) had not been handled in proper way and thus jeopardized completions of full transmission of new generation. Also, delay in 132 KV line Patrind hydropower project added up fuel to the fire as it caused damages to the tune of Rs200 million per month.  Similarly, non-provision of appropriate evacuation for wind projects, generation is being curtailed resulting in Rs329 million capacity charges penalties on the power purchaser. On removal of key system constraints to allow full flow of power in 2017 for which comprehensive exercise was conducted by the ministry in 2016, the NTDC missed major timelines. Resultantly, the system witnessed critical shortcomings during the month of Ramazan. An NTDC handout said national transmission stabilisation remained a major challenge which could not be achieved. Moreover, the situation in southern part of the country was further aggravated resulting in the system collapse on 1st and 2nd Ramazan plunging large parts of southern grid in darkness. The situation was further compounded by the frequent collapse of 500 KV circuit towers due to lack of maintenance as per SOPs. The response to restore the system was highly dissatisfactory resulting in discomfort to the consumers.