Pakistan: No nuclear, try wind, gas, coal

Ray · 03-14-2006, 13:04 PM

Quote:

Tuesday, March 14, 2006 E-Mail this article to a friend Printer Friendly Version

Poor security blocks investment: US

* US official says Pakistan can meet 99pc of its energy needs from coal, gas, wind and solar power
* Says N-cooperation not on agenda

By Rana Qaisar

ISLAMABAD: The United States said on Monday the security situation in Balochistan was “an impediment” to investment in Pakistan and opposed a gas pipeline from Iran to Pakistan.

“The security situation needs to be improved as it is an impediment to investment. Until there is an improvement, substantial investment is not possible,” US Energy Secretary Samuel W Bodman told journalists when asked about foreign investment in a gas pipeline project from Turkmenistan.

Bodman, who arrived in Islamabad for talks on US cooperation in Pakistan’s energy sector, did not support the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, saying: “Our country has significant problems with Iran. They are working on nuclear weapons and we are trying to prevent it, so it is impossible to support a contractual agreement.”

Asked if the US would help Pakistan build a 1,000 MW nuclear power plant, he said: “We have developed a wide-ranging dialogue but it does not include cooperation in nuclear energy. Civil nuclear energy cooperation has not been discussed and it is not on my agenda.”

“There are so many things that we can do. There is a long list,” he said, adding that the US could help Pakistan meet its energy needs from coal, wind and solar sources. “We can help Pakistan with our research in coal energy. A survey of various locations can be carried out where wind and solar energy can be put to use.”

He hinted the US could help Pakistan with gas pipelines from Qatar and Turkmenistan. “Apart from this (the gas pipeline from Iran), we can be helpful,” he said, without committing any financial assistance to Pakistan. “However, we stand ready to help if possible to find finances,” he added. Bodman did not comment on Pakistan-China civil nuclear cooperation. He argued that nuclear energy could only meet one percent needs of Pakistan’s growing economy while 99 percent of its needs could be met through other sources like coal, gas, wind and solar power.

He said he was in Pakistan as a follow-up to President George Bush’ visit. “I am here to understand the energy needs and listen to the Pakistani leadership as we are prepared to assist Pakistan.”

He said he invited a delegation of Pakistani officials to Washington to discuss how the US could help Pakistan meet its energy needs and how it could attract investment in its energy sector. “We will also send a delegation of scientists to Pakistan,” Bodman said.

Bodman met with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri as well as other officials to discuss Pakistan’s energy needs. The Foreign Office released a joint statement following the meetings which said that the two sides had reaffirmed their commitment to establish a joint energy working group.

Aziz later told reporters: “Our goal is to explore more energy through various modes and we want US cooperation to increase energy production.”

He said the government had prepared a 25-year plan to explore new energy sources, including renewables, and develop infrastructure to import gas and electricity from Iran, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...4-3-2006_pg1_1

If they can't get bread, let them eat cake or is it the other way around?

AQ Khan has really shafted Pakistan!

Hari_Om · 03-15-2006, 11:15 AM

Ray,

You can say that again.

A.Q.Khan, or more correctly his unindicted patrons the Pakistan Military, have shafted Pakistan.

PM Shaukat Aziz’s plan of having Nuclear Parks where US owned and operated Nuclear Plants can generate electricity for Pakistan is a pretty proliferation resistant scheme.

That it got short shrift was thanks to A.Q.Khan and the Military.

Ray · 03-15-2006, 12:30 PM

Pakistan has adequate gas.

uddu · 03-15-2006, 13:18 PM

And they break so much wind ROFL ROFL

Kasam khuda kee

ROFL

Neo · 03-15-2006, 17:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Pakistan has adequate gas.

There's much more than natural gas; Sind has large medium quality coal deposits est. 145 billion tons, uranium deposists in Dera Ismail Khan and NA and assumably large quantity of undiscovered oil in Balochistan and Indus delta where modest finds occur every now and then.
Pakistan signed an accord with Iran back in 1958 not to explore oil in Balochistan for next 50 years, treaty will end in 2008.

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03-15-2006, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Hari_Om Banished Join Date: 09-30-04 Posts: 1,049 Country:	Ray, You can say that again. A.Q.Khan, or more correctly his unindicted patrons the Pakistan Military, have shafted Pakistan. PM Shaukat Aziz’s plan of having Nuclear Parks where US owned and operated Nuclear Plants can generate electricity for Pakistan is a pretty proliferation resistant scheme. That it got short shrift was thanks to A.Q.Khan and the Military.

03-15-2006, 12:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ray Postmaster General *Military Professional* Join Date: 08-20-03 Posts: 27,117 Country:	Pakistan has adequate gas.

03-15-2006, 13:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
uddu Banished Join Date: 03-09-06 Posts: 84	And they break so much wind ROFL ROFL Kasam khuda kee ROFL

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