Experts from India and Pakistan have agreed to conduct feasibility studies and identify points for the proposed import of 500 MW of electricity from India, officials said today.

The matter was discussed yesterday during the second meeting of a group of experts from the two countries in Islamabad.

Pakistan is mulling a proposal to import power from India to overcome a crippling energy shortfall that has affected industrial output and triggered violent protests in several cities.

Electricity trade

The experts discussed proposals for electricity trade, including the building of a high voltage direct current (HVDC) link to transfer 500 MW from India to Pakistan, the officials said.

Besides agreeing to conduct feasibility studies on both sides of the border, the experts discussed the issue of raising funds for fulfilling the infrastructure requirements.

All these issues will be discussed further at the next meeting scheduled to be held in New Delhi in October, they said.

The six-member Indian delegation to the talks was led by Joint Secretary Rita Acharya of the Power Ministry while the Pakistani side was headed by Joint Secretary Zargham Ishak.

The Indian team will hold further talks in Lahore today with top officials of the National Transmission Dispatch Company and visit the location where the Pakistani and Indian electricity grids are to be connected, officials said.

The transmission line will emanate from a grid station in India and link up with a grid station in Pakistan.

Pakistan has identified Dina Nath and Ghaziabad as the connecting points for importing electricity from Punjab, the officials said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW