China helps out energy-starved Pakistan

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Engineers of the Harbin Boiler Co test the steam generator developed for the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant in Pakistan.Provided for China Daily

China Daily continues its coverage from neighboring countries in an effort to provide insight into topics relevant to China. In the third part of our Pakistan series, we explore Chinese efforts to alleviate Pakistan's energy thirst and improve its infrastructure.

With an ongoing energy shortage affecting nearly every household in Pakistan, several Chinese power companies and institutes are working closely with the nation's government to take advantage of its natural resources and increase electricity production.

The Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute recently agreed to help build a power plant in Pakistan to convert the byproduct of processing sugarcane into electricity. The goal is for the plant to provide an annual capacity of 960,000 mWh.

"The plant has the highest productivity among those of the same kind in the world," said Jin Donghan, head of the institute. "Pakistan is a country rich in sugarcane and turning that into electricity is a very cost-effective option for the country to find a way out of its shortage of energy."

According to a May report by The New York Times, lights go out for at least 10 hours a day in major cities in Pakistan and up to 22 hours a day in rural areas. Finding a solution to the nation's energy crisis topped Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's agenda during his visit to China from July 3 to 8.

• Chinese premier raises five-point proposal for boosting cooperation with Pakistan

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