New power for Pakistan

KASUR, Pakistan, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- Pakistan inaugurated a 200 MW power station in Punjab province that utilizes a flexible fuel source to overcome regional shortfalls, executives said.

Finnish energy and power company Wartsila led the engineering, procurement and project management of the Nishat Power Ltd. power plant in Kasur in Punjab province.

The company said fuel flexibility of its engines offers an ideal solution for this location. Technology at the power plant uses local fuel resources with 14 MW of electricity generated by a combined cycle steam turbine that can use waste heat from the engines.

"We congratulate everyone involved and are proud to play our part in providing Pakistan with reliable and sustainable power," said Ole Johansson, chief executive officer at Wartsila.

The Pakistani division of Wartsila will operate and maintain the plant under the terms of a five-year agreement.

Pakistan faces an electrical power shortage of about 3,500 MW. Energy was one of the main themes for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her recent trip to Pakistan.