Pakistan: KAPCO moves to consolidate CSR programme

LAHORE:  Kot Addu Power Company (KAPCO) is consolidating its philanthropy and charity work into a comprehensive CSR programme through the acquisition of expertise and knowledge. “KAPCO is not only generating the much-needed electricity in Pakistan. As a responsible corporate citizen it is also dedicated to improving the standards of living in communities it operates in. We have an active social action programme,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aftab Mahmood Butt tells CSR Pakistan.

Butt says KAPCO has a broad vision for its human resource management. It provides lifelong career development opportunities for qualified, competent and hardworking professionals. The company has about 600 employees who have been trained in working conditions and environment conducive for job satisfaction and equal opportunities for career growth. KAPCO owns and operates Pakistan’s largest Independent Power Project (IPP) at Kot Addu in District Muzaffargarh of the Punjab province. Kapco’s power plant has power generation capacity of 1,600MW, about nine per cent of the country’s total installed capacity. The power plant runs on natural gas and furnace oil. It was built, between 1985 and 1996, in five phases by the Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

“Our vision is to be a leading power generation company, driven to exceed our shareholders’ expectations and meet our customers’ requirements. Our mission is to be a responsible corporate citizen, maximise shareholders’ return, provide reliable and economical supply of electricity, excel in all aspects relating to safety, quality and environment, and to create a work environment that fosters pride, job satisfaction and equal opportunity for career growth for all Kapco employees,” says Butt.

KAPCO was incorporated in April 1996 and on June 27, 1996 its management was transferred to the UK’s National Power, now known as International Power, which acquired a 26 per cent stake in the company through its subsidiary National Power Kot Addu Limited (Npkal) after competing in an international bidding process launched by the Islamabad-based Privatisation Commission of Pakistan. Npkal acquired another 10 per cent stake in Kapco and currently owns 36 per cent shares of the company. Wapda owns 46 per cent and the remainder 18 per cent are listed on all three stock exchanges of Pakistan.

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KAPCO is now working on expanding its power generation capacity by 450MW through the construction of a new power plant next to the existing plant to meet the rising electricity needs of Pakistan, which faces power shortages of up to 6,000MW during the peak demand summer months. Aside from sustaining its power generation business, KAPCO is also aspires to make a positive difference in society, especially in the areas surrounding its power plant. It owns and maintains housing facilities for its employees and their families, which is spread over 170 acres and comprises over 900 houses, a 10-bed hospital, staff and officers’ recreation facilities, two shopping centres, a bachelors hostel, a guest house, secondary schools for boys and girls and three mosques. The employees and their dependants are provided medical insurance and access to healthcare facilities.

“The well being of employees and their families is essential for them to deliver optimum results with complete peace of mind. KAPCO promotes sports and recreation activities, it is an equal opportunity employer, maintains a strict induction standard and merit when hiring new employees to ensure the concept of the right person for the right job. KAPCO is cognisant of its social responsibilities and has been regularly contributing to key development sectors in the urban and rural areas of Pakistan. It undertakes community development initiatives on its own and has been supporting various NGOs that work at the grassroots level to provide basic welfare services such as healthcare and education,” says Butt.

(Sourced from CSR Pakistan)