USAID Energy Policy Program Monthly Progress Report May 2015

During the reporting month, EPP facilitated a USAID visit to the Satpara Multipurpose Dam Project upon its completion. The project is now capable of generating 17.6 MW of electricity and also irrigating 15,500 acres of land. EPP also facilitated USAID in visiting Jamshoro and Guddu Thermal Power Stations. Major rehabilitation work is already completed, however the visits were critical to expedite the installation of the remaining equipment at these projects. EPP engineers visited Tarbela Power Station for inspection of remaining equipment under phase-I rehabilitation, including drainage and dewatering pumps on units 1-10 and upgrading of the SCADA System on units 1-14. Following the visit, EPP certified Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Tarbela invoices of $1.3 million for this equipment. With this, procurement of only one remaining spare pump is underway to complete Tarbela phase-I. EPP's Environmental Expert visited the Mangla Dam, Jamshoro, and Guddu thermal power Project to ensure that the rehabilitation work underway is in compliance with the Government of Pakistan and United States Government regulations as recommended in the approved Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation plans (EMMP). Subsequently, EPP submitted an environmental monitoring and audit reports to USAID. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources concluded the liquefied natural gas (LNG) Services 'Waiver Agreement' and 'Time Charter Party Agreement' with Elengy Terminal Pakistan Ltd. (EETL) for transporting the next four LNG cargoes from Qatar on an FOB basis. EPP provided support to the GOP in finalizing the Government to Government (G2G) agreement with Qatargas, including the LNG SPA negotiations with Qatargas in Islamabad on May 7 and 8. The Security Risk Assessment conducted during May 5-8 at Port Qasim was declared acceptable by Qatargas. EPP revised the port tariff for LNG carriers calling at Port Qasim Authority (PQA) on the basis of additional inputs and parameters communicated by PQA. A draft gazette notification for port tariff for LNG carriers was also prepared and submitted to PQA, which approved the port tariff model for LNG vessels in a meeting held on May 15. A review meeting with EPP partners was held on May 27 to discuss infrastructure, technology, and costs for Shale Gas production. Response is awaited regarding the possibility of re-visiting the project. The rehabilitation work at the Guddu Thermal Power Station is nearing completion, with only minor work remaining to be completed. The project is expected to increase the power generation capacity of the station. The EPP also provided support to the Ministry of Water and Power in finalizing the project implementation letter for the Satpara Multipurpose Dam Project. The EPP continued to work closely with the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) to improve the transmission network and ensure reliable power supply to the consumers. The EPP also provided support to the Ministry of Finance in finalizing the budget for the energy sector. The EPP's efforts have resulted in significant improvements in the energy sector, including increased power generation capacity, improved transmission network, and enhanced policy reforms. The EPP will continue to work closely with the GOP to achieve its objectives and improve the energy sector in Pakistan.