United States Consul General Signs $1 million Grant for Energy Development

United States Consul General in Peshawar Gabriel Escobar on behalf of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and Syed Zainullah Shah, General Manager –Thermal of the Pakhtunkhwa Hydel Development Organization (PHYDO) signed a $1,026,000 grant agreement on September 24, to enable the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) to conduct a feasibility study on the technical, economic, and financial viability of a 400-435 MW gas turbine combined cycle plant in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province. The agreement was signed at the United States Consulate General.

According to the Consul General, the plant is anticipated eventually to expand to double the initial capacity of 435 MW, and this USTDA grant is another example of U.S. – Pakistan partnership and of the United States’ commitment to helping Pakistan resolve its energy issues.

Syed Zainullah Shah expressed appreciation of United States support of Pakistan’s energy sector and of KP in particular. This grant is the first U.S.-Pakistan energy related partnership in KP.

The USTDA is an independent U.S. Government foreign assistance agency that is funded by the U.S. Congress. The USTDA provides grant funding to overseas project sponsors for the planning of projects that support the development of modern infrastructure and an open trading system. The hallmark of USTDA development assistance is building partnerships between U.S. companies and overseas project sponsors to bring proven private sector solutions to developmental challenges.