Tuwairqi Steel to provide power to KESC

KARACHI - Tuwairqi Steel Mills Limited (TSML), the country-arm of Saudi Arabias largest private-sector steel producer Al Tuwairqi Holding in Pakistan, has signed a contract with KESC, for adding 14MW of electricity to the power utilitys network. The signing ceremony was held at KESC Head Office.
This alliance comes at a crucial juncture when the utility company is looking at adding power generation capacities to its network, in order to help meet the current shortfall of electricity in Karachi. As per the contract, TSML will start providing 14MW of electricity to KESC from May, 2010.
The contract was signed by Zaigham Adil Rizvi, Director (Projects), TSML and Tabish Gauhar, CEO, KESC. Zubair Motiwala, advisor to Chief Minister Sind for investment and other senior officials from KESC and TSML were also present at the occasion.
Commenting on the collaboration, Zaigham Adil Rizvi, Director (Projects), TSML said, This initiative of contributing electricity to KESCs network is in line with the vision of Al Tuwairqis management in S Arabia to help meet the growing demand of energy in Pakistan. We are also exploring alternate modes of electricity generation like wind and solar resources.
Regarding the power plant of TSML, Rizvi said, We have installed 4 gas turbines of Kawasaki Japan having a capacity of 6.5MW each, installation of a gas engine of 2.4 MW is currently underway, and a steam turbine of 12MW will be installed in future, which will operate on Heat Recovery Steam Boiler on exhaust energy of these gas turbines. Currently, electrical and piping works are underway and hopefully commercial operations will commence after the completion of commission phase by the end of May, 2010. He also acknowledged the role of NBP, for extending an instrumental support to the project.
Mr. Tabish Gauhar said on this occasion: KESCs management is committed to add more generation capacity to the utilitys network. Since September 2008, we have added 450 MW of internal generation capacity to the system and more projects are under implementation on fast track basis. In future this will enable us to deal with electricity supply position more effectively. Todays signing of contract with Tuwairqi Steel Mills for adding more electricity to KESCs system is another step in this direction.