Shaheer Ahmed
Lately, Pakistan and the US are working together in different areas of common interest. Not long ago, the US announced to work with the new government of Pakistan to further peace and prosperity. Now, USAID is to partner up with Pakistan to expand the green energy program in the country.
The US Plans To Enhance Relations With The New Government Of Pakistan
The US has been helping Pakistan to generate clean, reliable, and affordable energy. In collaboration, Pakistan and the US have so far built three dams that have added 143 MW of electricity to the national grid. These dams are:
- Golen Gol Dam in Chitral
- Satpara Dam in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Gomal Zam Dam in South Waziristan
Pakistan and the US also worked on the rehabilitation of the Tarbela and Mangla dams and three power plants. Also, over 860 MW of solar projects and commercially-funded wind were added to the national grid.
Benefits of the Project
Recently the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), upon the initiative of the US government is collaborating with Pakistan to initiate a four-year power sector improvement project worth $23.5 million. This project aims to increase Pakistan’s green energy. This will also help to mitigate climate issues. Moreover, the project will enhance the distribution, operations, and management of the power transmission system.
The overall advantage of this project is to turn Pakistan’s power system into a reliable, viable, and affordable one.
At the opening ceremony of the project Julie A. Koenen, USAID Mission Director said “The United States looks forward to advancing our partnership with Pakistan to build a clean, efficient, and reliable electricity generation sector, laying a foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth.” She further added that “Through this new initiative, USAID will partner with the Government of Pakistan to support the transition to a truly competitive wholesale power market. This will increase private sector participation in an open and transparent manner and support our shared energy reform goals.”
The USAID has been operating in Pakistan to help the country in capacity building and uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the people. USAID has been working with Pakistan for many years on issues of common interest. Currently, both actors are working on promoting peace, economic growth, and strengthening health capacities globally. All of these are synonymous with the aims listed in the Pakistan Vision 2025.
This is just the start; more projects are expected to be initiated where we will see both the countries collaborating to improve the Pak- US bilateral relations.
