- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Visits Shanghai Electric Headquarters
- Thar Flagship Project and Talent Development Program Bring China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Cooperation to New Heights
SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari visited the headquarters of Shanghai Electric (SEHK: 2727, SSE: 601727) on September 15, marking a new milestone in China-Pakistan energy collaboration for Shanghai Electric. The high-level visit, as well as the successful conclusion of the second “Thar Project High-Quality Operation Elite Program,” underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), deepening regional energy partnerships, and fostering localized talent development.
“As a global leader in industrial-grade green and intelligent system solutions, Shanghai Electric views Pakistan as a strategic cornerstone of its global roadmap. Leveraging our robust capabilities in energy equipment manufacturing and extensive project management expertise, we will actively engage in Pakistan’s energy infrastructure development, fully support the nation’s energy sector advancement, and jointly drive sustained economic growth in Pakistan,” noted Wu Lei, Chairman of Shanghai Electric.
President Zardari highly commended Shanghai Electric’s outstanding contributions to Pakistan’s energy transition and public welfare. He noted that the Thar Block-I integrated coal mine and power project (“Thar Project”), a flagship initiative under CPEC, has not only significantly alleviated Pakistan’s power shortages but also saved billions in foreign exchange through localized operations, while actively improving local livelihoods. President Zardari warmly welcomed Shanghai Electric and other Chinese enterprises to expand investments in Pakistan, pledging that the Pakistani government will continue refining investment policies, optimizing the business environment, and addressing concerns of Chinese partners.
The Thar Project represents Shanghai Electric’s first Build-Own-Operate (BOO) project, developed, constructed, and operated with a total investment of over US$3 billion. The two 660MW high-parameter supercritical units were officially put into commercial operation in early 2023. With a total capacity of 1320 MW, it is supported by an open-pit coal mine that produces 7.8 million tons of lignite (brown coal) annually, providing 9 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity to nearly 4 million households.
Shanghai Electric is also extending broader efforts to nurture local talent and contribute to the sustainable development of Pakistan’s energy sector.
From September 10 to 19, Shanghai Electric hosted the second session of the Thar Project High-Quality Operation Elite Program, which provided Pakistani employees with comprehensive training in technical skills, business management, and cultural exchange. Committed to promoting technology transfer and localized talent development, the program is now an annual initiative aiming to build a talent pipeline for the Thar Project’s long-term, high-quality operations.
This year, the curated itinerary blended industrial immersion and cultural exploration. The participants also visited Shanghai Electric’s manufacturing facilities, local power generation companies, and leading academic institutions in Shanghai.
Building on its proven track record in Pakistan, Shanghai Electric has established a replicable framework for energy collaboration, combining EPC contracting capabilities for mega-projects, technology solutions tailored to local resource endowments, and a sustainable model of “integrated construction-operation” paired with localized talent development.
These practices, exemplified by initiatives like the Thar Project, can offer a reliable blueprint for balancing infrastructure growth with socioeconomic empowerment, particularly in Southeast Asia and countries facing analogous energy demands and development opportunities. Shanghai Electric aims to extend this model in scale, leveraging its expertise in clean energy systems and smart grid technologies to enhance regional connectivity and accelerate the transition to low-carbon economies.
For more information, please visit:https://www.shanghai-electric.com/group_en/.
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