LAHORE, Pakistan, April 27 (UPI) -- Britain's Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan Peter Tibber has discussed Pakistani energy needs with Punjab's Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
International News Network reported Tuesday that Sharif told Tibber that Pakistan's energy crisis is serious and that shortages of electricity are having a negative impact on the country's industry, agriculture and trade.
Sharif added that the crisis was sufficiently extreme that the country should be put on a war footing as regards to energy generation for the development and prosperity of the country.
Sharif said the government is considering renewable energy projects including hydle low-level hydroelectric projects for canals and reservoirs, solar, waste incineration and wind in addition to traditional energy sources such as coal.
Pakistan is building a 120-megawatt hydle power project at the Taunsa Barrage and power generation from sugarcane waste is also under consideration.
Turning to more traditional sources of power, Pakistan is also building a coal-fired plant in Dera which will be supplied with fuel from Baluchistan. Tibber promised that Britain would carefully consider assisting Pakistan's power sectors.
