A top officer of the Economic Affairs Division claims that Russia has declared its interest in contributing electro-mechanical machinery to Pakistan’s large hydropower projects Diamer, Bhasha, and Dasu.
Moscow has expressed interest in the 2160 MW Dasu stage-II hydropower project, on Friday. Moreover, the Moscow company “Power Machines” has offered to provide the electromechanical machinery for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project (4500 MW; comprising 12 units of 375 MW capacity each).
During the Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) meeting held in Islamabad from January 18–20, a representative of Russia reportedly offered to supply electro-mechanical machinery.
Pakistan announced that stage II of the Dasu project won’t start before 2026, welcoming Russia’s willingness to help with the projects’ construction.
While Pakistan has requested assistance in creating SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems and distribution system automation, the Russians are also interested in grid facilities.
More importantly, the Russians have requested information on the projects under consideration for development under the Government-to-Government (GtG) mode, which includes:
- The Thakot 1, 2, and 3 Hydro-power projects
- The Kari-Mashkur hydro-power project (495 MW) and the Shogo-Sin hydro-power project (495 MW) (132 MW) Overhead Transmission Line from Drosh (Chitral) to Chakdara, with two 500 KV grid stations at both ends (v) Pafian hydro-power project (2400 MW).
The most recent details and plans for the renovation and development of Thar coal-based new units at Jamshoro and Lakhra, as well as the proposed project finance arrangement with Russia, have already been revealed by Pakistan.
Pakistan has also been informed by Russia of LLC’s interest in building facilities for a distributed energy generation system and a gas transmission network, rebuilding outdated power generation machinery using units based on gas turbine drives made by LLC enterprises, and supporting its performance over the course of its life cycle.
Pakistan’s dependence on gas-based power generation is currently being replaced by indigenous coal, according to information provided to the Russians. Yet, the Russian suggestion will be seriously studied when chances for gas-based energy present themselves.
the implementation of projects for the introduction and use of cutting-edge Russian technologies to improve oil and gas recovery in Pakistani fields, as well as the implementation of infrastructure projects. The sides expressed an interest in maintaining contact to explore opportunities and prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas sectors of Pakistan and third countries.
The mutual interest of the parties in extending their collaboration in areas like improving energy efficiency and supplying high-tech goods and equipment has been highly valued. Pakistan has asked that the Russian side expose firms working in the building and industrial sectors to energy-efficient technologies.
