US ambassador in Pakistan Richard Olson has said his country supports Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India Gas Pipeline Project (TAPI), but not Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project.
"As far as Pakistan, Iran Gas Pipeline Project is concerned, US does not lend support to it and rather we support TAPI. We are alive to the challenges facing Pakistan in energy sector and we are assisting Pakistan in this respect. Pakistan can exercise alternate energy option to overcome energy crisis and US will extend full support to it", he said this while talking to media men Tuesday during his visit to Tarbela dam along with chairman Wapda.
Replying a question, he said "we recognize the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in war on terror and we laud these sacrifices".
He went on to say Pakistan played role of a key ally in war against terrorism and rendered lots of sacrifices. The international community would have to take unified steps to counter this menace.
US Ambassador Richard Olson joined WAPDA Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah to recognize the completion of the US-funded Tarbela Dam restoration project. The restoration of three generators at Tarbela adds 128 megawatts of power to the national grid.
"The United States understands that Pakistan is facing an energy crisis and we are committed to doing our part," he said, adding, the work completed here at Tarbela contributes enough electricity to supply two million customers, and helps provide relief to those suffering from extensive power shortages.
WAPDA Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah said he appreciates the support of the United States to the energy sector in Pakistan.
To increase production of electricity at Tarbela, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $16.5 million to the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to repair three power generation units and to train Tarbela's staff to operate the upgraded equipment.
In addition to Tarbela, the United States is also funding other high impact projects, such as the rehabilitation of the Mangla Dam, and renovation of thermal plants at Jamshoro, Guddu, and Muzaffargarh, which have already added over 650 megawatts since October 2009. The US government is also co-financing the completion of the Gomal Zam and Satpara dams which will add another 35 megawatts and irrigate more than 200,000 acres. Finally, the US is helping to replace thousands of highly inefficient agricultural and municipal water pumps throughout the country to save additional megawatts. These projects are expected to add 900 megawatts to the national power grid by the end of 2013 -- enough energy to power two million households and businesses.
The US is opposing Pakistan, Iran gas pipeline project and it has threatened Pakistan in this respect in covert tone. However, President Asif Ali Zardari has announced Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project will be inaugurated on March 11. He had also asked international community that it should have perception about the problems being confronted by Pakistan.
Muqaddam Khan adds from Swabi: American ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson said that the US government would initially provide $ 25 million for the fourth extension hydropower project of the Tarbela Dam. The US ambassador visited Tarbela Dam along with the Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Syed Raghib Abbas Shah and other distinguished officers on Tuesday. A detailed briefing was given to them about the power generating capacity, especially the rehabilitation process and expected initiation and completion of the fourth extension project. Muhammad Iqbal, Chief Engineer of Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha Hydro Project, General Manager Muhammad Umer and others were also present on the occasion.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
US backs TAPI, not Pak-Iran gasline: Olson
US ambassador in Pakistan Richard Olson has said his country supports Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India Gas Pipeline Project (TAPI), but not Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline Project.
"As far as Pakistan, Iran Gas Pipeline Project is concerned, US does not lend support to it and rather we support TAPI. We are alive to the challenges facing Pakistan in energy sector and we are assisting Pakistan in this respect. Pakistan can exercise alternate energy option to overcome energy crisis and US will extend full support to it", he said this while talking to media men Tuesday during his visit to Tarbela dam along with chairman Wapda.
Replying a question, he said "we recognize the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in war on terror and we laud these sacrifices".
He went on to say Pakistan played role of a key ally in war against terrorism and rendered lots of sacrifices. The international community would have to take unified steps to counter this menace.
US Ambassador Richard Olson joined WAPDA Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah to recognize the completion of the US-funded Tarbela Dam restoration project. The restoration of three generators at Tarbela adds 128 megawatts of power to the national grid.
"The United States understands that Pakistan is facing an energy crisis and we are committed to doing our part," he said, adding, the work completed here at Tarbela contributes enough electricity to supply two million customers, and helps provide relief to those suffering from extensive power shortages.
WAPDA Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah said he appreciates the support of the United States to the energy sector in Pakistan.
To increase production of electricity at Tarbela, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $16.5 million to the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to repair three power generation units and to train Tarbela's staff to operate the upgraded equipment.
In addition to Tarbela, the United States is also funding other high impact projects, such as the rehabilitation of the Mangla Dam, and renovation of thermal plants at Jamshoro, Guddu, and Muzaffargarh, which have already added over 650 megawatts since October 2009. The US government is also co-financing the completion of the Gomal Zam and Satpara dams which will add another 35 megawatts and irrigate more than 200,000 acres. Finally, the US is helping to replace thousands of highly inefficient agricultural and municipal water pumps throughout the country to save additional megawatts. These projects are expected to add 900 megawatts to the national power grid by the end of 2013 -- enough energy to power two million households and businesses.
The US is opposing Pakistan, Iran gas pipeline project and it has threatened Pakistan in this respect in covert tone. However, President Asif Ali Zardari has announced Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project will be inaugurated on March 11. He had also asked international community that it should have perception about the problems being confronted by Pakistan.
Muqaddam Khan adds from Swabi: American ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson said that the US government would initially provide $ 25 million for the fourth extension hydropower project of the Tarbela Dam. The US ambassador visited Tarbela Dam along with the Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Syed Raghib Abbas Shah and other distinguished officers on Tuesday. A detailed briefing was given to them about the power generating capacity, especially the rehabilitation process and expected initiation and completion of the fourth extension project. Muhammad Iqbal, Chief Engineer of Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha Hydro Project, General Manager Muhammad Umer and others were also present on the occasion.
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