China on Tuesday gave its firmest government confirmation yet of plans to build two new nuclear reactors for Pakistan, but a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said she did not know about talks over a bigger reactor deal.

ISLAMABAD (May 13 2010): Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf Wednesday said that 6 megawatt electricity is being generated through windmills currently installed by Zorlu Energy Pakistan. While replying to the questions in the National Assembly, the Minster said that five installed windmill units are generating 1.2MW electricity each.

Some respite for power consumers is on the cards as the duration of the ongoing dreaded load shedding would start decreasing significantly from January 21 - thanks to the increase in hydal generation and induction of five new power plants.

A German delegation, comprising of Kirsten Weltzien, Alexander Klass, Eduard Wegner, Tuesday called on Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and discussed matters pertaining to energy development. Secretary Irrigation was also present on the occasion. The CM Punjab, in the meeting, said that dearth of energy was severely affecting agriculture and industry in the province.

US government wants to strengthen relations with the people of Pakistan and it has a firm commitment to help Pakistan in power generation sector and soon Karachi will become self-sufficient in this regard. American companies can also provide technology to upgrade dairy products processing sector of Pakistan.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday unveiled a 125-million-dollar programme to improve the country's inadequate electricity supply. Hillary also announced the first phase of the energy programme, which would help repair power facilities and promote energy efficiency. The projects, she said, have been designed in close collaboration and consultations with Pakistan government.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending $780 million to Pakistan through a multi-tranche financing facility for priority energy efficiency projects that will secure the country's growing energy needs and reduce its reliance on costly, polluting fossil fuels, said Bayanjargal Byambasaikhan, energy specialist with ADB's Central and West Asia Department.

A Chinese state-run company, Shenhua Group Corporation, which had rolled back its plan in 2006, is likely to invest $1.5 billion for setting up 1,000 Megawatts coal-fired plants, it is reliably learnt.

The Sindh government had started re-establishing contacts with the Chinese firm and was giving assurances that no hindrance would be put in place in the project, sources told Business Recorder.