'US committed to helping Pakistan meet energy needs'

The US today said it is committed to helping Pakistan grow and support power sector governance while strengthening policy reform in the energy-starved country.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson visited the Jamshoro Thermal Power Station (JTPS) in the Sindh province, which was recently upgraded with an American assistance of USD 19.3 million.
The Jamshoro plant will now provide an additional 270 megawatts of power to the national grid, enough to provide electricity to nearly 4.3 million more Pakistanis, the Embassy said in a statement.
"The US' commitment to Pakistan's energy needs is long term and it delivers results. Jamshoro is just one example of how the US and Pakistan continue to partner to help Pakistan grow," Olson said.

"Together, we are responding to Pakistan's energy crisis. And we are working together to develop a partnership that delivers for the people of Pakistan and beyond," he said.
The US also continues to support energy sector governance and policy reform, the Embassy said.

Pakistan is exploring all options for sourcing power, including from India, after it faced a crippling energy crisis with load-shedding for up to 20 hours a day.
The visit of Olson, US Consul General in Karachi Michael Dodman, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Gregory Gottlieb and other senior US government officials to JTPS reaffirms the US government's commitment to strengthening public-owned power sector entities, it added.

The US, via USAID, provided USD 19.3 million to rehabilitate JTPS. The work to upgrade the plant began in June 2010, restoring 150 MW of power generating capacity that the plant had lost as a result of deferred maintenance and reduced fuel efficiency.
The repairs exceeded project targets and now a total of 270 megawatts has been added to Pakistan's national electrical grid as a result, the statement said.
In addition to Jamshoro, USAID is supporting the rehabilitation of thermal plants at Muzaffargarh and Guddu, as well as the Tarbela hydro-plant. USAID has also funded the completion of Gomal Zam and Satpara dams.

Collectively, these projects have added more than 1,000 MW to Pakistan's electrical grid - enough to supply power for 16 million citizens.