All new power generation projects should be based on indigenous resources, said Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan while chairing the 120th Board meeting of Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) held here on Wednesday.. The Minister underscored that Pakistan is full of indigenous and natural resources which can be utilized for generating adequate & affordable electricity and for achieving sustainability in the system, we need to arrange investments in transmission system and also in the power generation by prioritizing indigenous resources. In order to provide affordable electricity to the people of Pakistan, it is necessary that local resources should be further exploited and all such projects which are already in process should be facilitated and expedited, he added. In this regard, the Board today approved extension in Letter of Interest of 350 MW Athmuqam Hydropower Project which is located on River Neelum in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. While appreciating PPIB’s efforts for development of hydropower projects, the Board advised that new projects should be initiated after demand-supply studies have been completed so that there is no situation of deficit or excess generation capacity in the country. The Board agreed that coordination between various government departments must be improved for efficient and timely implementation of all projects. The Secretary Power Division stressed the need of proper planning and timely establishing of transmission and evacuation arrangements for upcoming projects. While acknowledging the role being played by PPIB in implementation of Pakistan’s first private sector +660 kV HVDC Matiari-Lahore Transmission Line Project, the Minister advised NTDC to be proactive in acquisition of land for convertor stations and other ancillaries required for the project. Khan emphasized that the current government is committed to remove inconsistencies in the system and fully focused on curbing electricity theft and defaulters for which country wide drive has already been initiated. He concluded that Pakistan would be guided by imperatives of transparency, efficiency and win-win co-operation while seeking investments in the power sector. Published in Daily Times, November 15th 2018.