Pakistan Invites Bids for LNG Based Power Plant

Pakistan has invited bids for a 1.2 GW LNG-based power project, according to a statement by the country's state-owned Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) published on its website.

The project is to be developed using combined cycle gas turbines technology on build, own and operate basis for a term of 30 years. PPIB expects the project to be operation by December 2018. Last date for submission of bids for the project is December 5, 2016. The project would be located at Muzaffargarh in the province of Punjab. 

With a severe shortage of energy for the domestic economy, Pakistan has shifted focus to importing LNG to meet the deficit. Both state-owned and private firms have signed long term deals with Qatar this year. Work on building sufficient import infrastructure is also been taken up.

Pakistan's second import terminal (FSRU), to be supplied by shipowner BW Gas, is due to be commissioned by June 2017 at Port Qasim, Karachi. 

Exquisite was inaugurated as Pakistan's first FSRU on March 28, 2015 by officials of Engro, Excelerate and the Pakistan government (Photo credit: Excelerate) 

Pakistan already has one such Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), called Exquisite, started operations in March 2015 at the same location, chartered out by US shipowner Excelerate to local firm Engro. The government has on many occasions said that LNG will now be a very important part of country’s energy mix. 

Shardul Sharma