KARACHI: K-Electric (KE) has energized a dedicated 12-megawatt grid along with a dedicated 132kV electricity distribution system to facilitate Getz Pharma’s new manufacturing/production facility in Korangi industrial area. The ceremony was attended by Khalid Mahmood, MD & CEO Getz Pharma and Moonis Alvi, CEO, KE along with their respective teams.

According to Moonis Alvi, CEO KE, “We are committed to powering industrial growth; energization of this grid today is yet another testament of our efforts towards facilitating industrial consumers to help them unlock their full potential. To meet the growing power demand of Karachi, KE has planned various initiatives resulting in investments of around US$3 billion across the power value chain over the next few years including the 900 MW RLNG-based BQPS-III, a 700 MW coal-based IPP project, and Transmission and Distribution related projects.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Khalid Mahmood, MD & CEO, Getz Pharma said, “This grid station was necessary to fulfill the load requirements of the company’s new plant Astola, which is the largest pharmaceutical plant in Pakistan, designed to obtain World Health Organization (WHO) accreditation and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification.

It will go a long way in enabling Getz Pharma to retain its status as Pakistan’s largest pharmaceutical exporter and lead the way in innovation and excellence. Development work on the grid station was carried out round the clock in close coordination with KE, which provided technical expertise and facilitation to ensure completion of the project as per industry standards.”

It is pertinent to note that KE’s industry-centric initiatives such as a faster and simpler application process with the option of online form submission, reduced documentation, e-payment option for new connection estimate, online cost calculator and online case tracking helped Pakistan improve its ranking in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) rankings. In the parameter of Getting Electricity, Pakistan rose from 167 to 123 and also gained 28 positions overall to rise from 136 to 108 based on initiatives across six indicators under the EoDB index.

Getz Pharma is Pakistan’s leading pharmaceutical company with operations in over 25 countries. It is the only company whose manufacturing facility is Pre-qualified and approved by the World Health Organization, Geneva as well as member countries of PIC/S. Getz Pharma is the largest investor and the highest taxpayer in the pharmaceutical sector of Pakistan, and 33rd highest taxpayer of Pakistan. It is also the highest exporter of pharmaceutical products and has received the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Export Trophy from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan for 14 consecutive years.