KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) has hired a consultant to set up a 50 megawatts power station, officials said on Thursday. Usmani Associates has been selected to evaluate the cost, site and other modalities of the project. The power station will be a part of the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply (K-IV), which is under first phase and will supply 260 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to the city. The K-IV is expected to be completed in the next two years. After completion of the power project, five different water pumping stations, three filtration plants and power segments of augmenting lines of water supply system, besides power will also be supplied to on line facilities and offices connected with the K-IV scheme. After the power plant is built, the KWSB will become a self-sufficient for its power needs. The KWSB’s power generation project will help lessen its power bills. Currently, the entity pays around Rs6 billion per annum to K-Electric power bills, officials said. The KWSB is among the leading power consumers in the city and with its own generation unit, it will no longer need to worry about frequent power failures, interruptions and disconnections on non-payment, officials said. The consultant firm will suggest feasibility for the future functioning of the project and whether it should be built on a Built, Own, Operate, or a Built, Operate, Transfer basis or through funding from Sindh or federal government. The proposed plan will soon be sent to the Energy Board and Public Private Partnership Department of the provincial government to seek technical and final approval to float international tender for selection of a company. In addition, a 40-MW project of the entity on BOO basis approved by five-member committee has already been in the pipeline and after seeking power generation rights from different authorities by Technomen Kinetics Private Limited, grant of land near Dhabeji pumping station on lease or otherwise for building of the project will be decided, the officials said. The provincial government, through the PPP Department and Energy Board, will evaluate the feasibility of the project and later grant permission for construction. Project Director Azam Khan has said that the company will be given adequate time for the purpose, and later an agreement would be inked. The formalities to be completed include obtaining generation license and tariff approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, and a no objection certificate from the K-Electric to allow the seller to supply 40-MW power to KWSB, besides an accord with the Sui Southern Gas Company for gas supply. The company is bound to provide evidence to KWSB that it has achieved financial closure for implementation of the project for the fulfillment of the agreement. The firm has to arrange 100 percent of equity and debt for the project in accordance with rules and regulation of KWSB. The firm will be responsible to undertake planning, design construction, ownership, operation, financial management and facility management of project. Khan said that in case of failure of the selected company, one of the bidders in the process, Gresham Eastern Private Limited, Engro Powergen Limited, Turbo Machinery Services, IMS Engineering Private Limited and Orient Energy System Private Limited would be given the tender. Published in Daily Times, April 6th 2018.