The Energy Sector

[siamu maharaj]

Originally Posted by Ahmad Rashid Ahmad

Iran-Pakistan pipeline deal to be signed soon

The agreement on Tehran's investment in a $1.5bn pipeline due to take Iran's gas reserves to Pakistan is set to be inked between Tehran and Islamabad during an upcoming visit to Pakistan by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to Fars News Agency.

President Ahmadinejad will visit Pakistan next week to attend a summit meeting of the group of eight Muslim developing countries (D8) on November 22.

Last week, a delegation of Iranian oil industry experts left for Islamabad to discuss the agreement on the payment of a $250m loan to Pakistan to fund the project.

Pakistan has asked Tehran officials to take part in the building of its side of the project, which will see it receive 750 million cubic feet of gas per day from Iran.

The Iranian oil ministry has set up a special team to specify the method of investment and credit line for the pipeline on Pakistan's soil. The construction of the Pakistani segment of the pipeline is expected to start by December.

The pipeline will begin from Iran's Assalouyeh Energy Zone in the south and stretch over 1,100 km through Iran. In Pakistan, it will pass through Baluchistan and Sindh but officials now say the route may be changed if China agrees to the project.

So Russia's backed out?

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Looks like that...

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Iranian President hopes Pak-Iran gas pipeline to complete in 2014

Iranian President Mahmood Ahmedinejad Thursday said that Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project would be completed by 2014.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad this evening, he said work is speedily in progress for laying of gas pipelines in Iran.The Iranian President said his country is cooperating with Pakistan in the energy sector. Iran would provide one thousand megawatt electricity to Pakistan, he added.The President of Iran, who is here in Islamabad to attend the D-8 Summit said Pakistan and Iran enjoy cordial relations.He said D-8 summit in Islamabad was a success and it will help promoting trade and economic ties between the member states.The Iranian leader said there are threats to his country but they know how to defend their country.

[OmI92]

US shows interest in Bhasha Dam



ISLAMABAD - While the World Bank and Asian Development Bank are reluctant to support financially Pakistan’s Bhasha Dam project on Indus River, United States has assured its support for the project.

US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G Olson called on Federal Minister for Water and Power, Ch Ahmed Mukhtar here on Friday and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to support Pakistan in energy sector.

He said Diamer Bhasha Dam was an important project for future water requirements and to generate cheaper power and added that the US was interested in this project and other hydel projects. He said that Diamer Bhasha Dam project would be discussed in the meeting of US-Pakistan Economic Working Group to be held next month in Washington.

He said US is committed to work with Government of Pakistan towards a brighter future for the people of Pakistan. The US is providing assistance in various power sector projects and working modernising Tarbela Power Station, Mangla Dam Power House, Upgrading Jamshoro, Guddu Muzaffargarh Thermal Plants, providing funds for completing Gomal Zam Dam and Satpata Dam projects. These energy projects would add 900 MW to the power grid by 2013.

The Minister for Water and Power Ahmed Mukhtar appreciated US cooperation and assistance being extended to the power sector and said that it would help to improve the efficiency of public sector power entities. The government, he said, was working on power sector reforms, rehabilitation, upgradation of Gencos, improvement in the working of Discos, distribution of 30 million energy savers, installation of smart meters, improvement in recoveries, controlling power theft and reduction in line losses.

It is worth mentioning here that earlier World Bank and Asian Development Bank had refused to financially support Bhasha Dam. Certain quarters believed that Indian influence was behind the reluctance of ADB to fund the project. World Bank has even raised the issue that Bhasha Dam was located in controversial area.

Source

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

IP gas pipeline: Iran wants assurance that Pakistan is ‘all in’

Pakistan will import 750 mmcfd of gas, extendable to 1 bcfd, from Iran through the IP pipeline.

Iran once again is pushing the financing issue regarding the Iran-Pakistan (IP)gas pipeline as it assures extending a $500 million loan to Pakistan on the condition that Islamabad will not turn its back on the project.

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during a recent visit to Islamabad, pledged $500 million financing for the $1.5 billion IP gas pipeline project, while seeking commitment from Pakistan that it will not back out and complete the project within the scheduled timeframe.

Islamabad plans to avail this financing to acquire engineering and construction materials to lay its portion of the pipeline, which will be carried out in a joint venture with Iranian companies and local gas utilities including Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

In addition to Iranian financing, Islamabad seeks to avail the buyer’s credit facility to pay for the import of building materials. The government will also raise Rs30 billion during the current financial year through the gas infrastructure development cess (GIDC) – a tax levied on domestic gas consumers.

Sources told The Express Tribune that Pakistani and Iranian teams had finalised the draft of the Inter-Governmental Cooperation Agreement (IGCA).

“We will sign the agreement next week,” sources said, adding that Iranians were concerned about the progress of the project and wanted assurance that there shall be no further delays to lay Pakistan’s portion of gas pipeline so that gas supply can begin in December this year.

“We have assured the Iranian president that the funds will be utilised for construction of the gas pipeline in Pakistan and will be completed in time,” sources said, adding that now all issues have been settled to move ahead on the project.

The agreement says that $250 million will be provided by Iran on a government to government basis, while the remaining $250 million will be wired by Iranian commercial banks. “Tehran has to settle some issues with their commercial banks which will be resolved in the coming week before signing of the finance deal,” sources said.

Pakistan wanted Iran’s signatures on the funding agreement during the visit, but delays in finalisation of the draft resulted in a bottleneck because of the late arrival of the delegation from Tehran.

Pakistan is currently pressured in securing funding from foreign countries and institutions due to sanctions imposed against Tehran over its controversial nuclear programme.

Under the project, Pakistan will import 750 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) extendable to one billion cubic feet gas per day. The Balochistan government wants 250mmcfd for Gwadar Port, therefore Pakistani can obtain more gas from Iran if need be.

German-based consultant firm ILF has already completed a detailed engineering design of the project. According to the interim feasibility report, the project will cost between $1.2 and $1.5 billion.

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

WAPDA to add 400MW of power by mid-2013

"We seek $500 million from local banks for completion of projects, besides this we are accumulating our own resources,” says Shah.

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has said that it will add 400 megawatts (MW) of cheap electricity to the national grid by the mid of next year. This will be done through the completion of six hydropower projects under-construction across the country, said Wapda Chairman Raghib Shah.

The distribution company, for the first time, is in negotiations with local banks to secure finance for mega-projects as international donors are reluctant to fund them.

Wapda has 20 hydropower projects in the pipeline, keeping in view the growing energy and water demand of the country. Once completed, the project will have a total capacity of producing 20,000MW of cheap power and store 12 million acre feet of water.

Shah, while briefing the media about the overall situation of hydel projects on Tuesday, said that if Wapda had access to funds, the company would be able to add 5,000MW of electricity in the next five years, and another 14,000MW by 2020.

“We are financially constrained; however negotiations with different donor agencies and banks to fund the projects are underway. We seek $500 million from local banks for completion of projects, besides this we are accumulating our own resources,” he said. We are waiting for Rs90 billion to be released by the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) to reconcile outstanding dues and once we get the money things will start getting smooth, Shah said.

Shah declared Diamer Bhasha Dam as a priority for Wapda, for which Rs13.78 billion had been sanctioned for fiscal 2013, as construction of the Kalabagh Dam cannot move forward without provincial consensus. “We are in touch with different funding agencies to complete Diamer Bhasha,” he said.

Shah also highlighted 12 under-construction small and medium hydel projects under-construction, having a total capacity of 400MW.

[OmI92]

CM Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah presides 8th meeting of public private partnership board



KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah today presided the 8th meeting of Public Private Partnership Board at Chief Minister House. The meeting was attended by Sindh Agriculture Minister Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Sindh Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Law Minister Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Chief Secretary Sindh Raja Muhammad Abbas, ACS (P&D) Israr Malik, ACS(Finance) Muhammad Arif Khan, Secretary Energy / Director General Public Private Partnership Mr. Sohail Rajput, provincial secretaries of Health, Agriculture, Works & Services, E&AED, Administrator Karachi M. H. Syed and M.A Jabbar, & others.

The meeting discussed various issues and agenda of public, private partnership, and took various decisions. Regarding Noorisabad Power Projects (Phase-I & II), the PPP Board approved injection of 49% the equity component into the project from the viability gap fund, and post facto approval of the VGF funding already incurred on the project development process.

According to details, two separate 50-50 MW power plants will be installed at Nooriabad and Tariff offered is Rs7.929 Kwh, with debt to equity of 80:20, and there will be 51% equity worth Rs:620 Million while 49% GoS equity of Rs: 596 Million.

The total project cost is Rs: 6080 Million and annual O&M cost will be Rs: 662 Million. Regarding, Run of the River Power Projects, the PPP Board approved the process undertaken so far , while TFEC will get the feasibility indentified, which will come to the Board for final approval.

It was informed that the consultants have identified Rohri Canal RD-15 as the most suitable site for power project under PPP mode, as the project of 3MW capacity has been launched for investor’s solicitation. In connection with development of solar energy projects, to get allowed PPP unit to take up project structuring activities of solar projects, the PPP policy board decided to further consider and consult the matter.

With regard to Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas dual carriage way, it was informed that the project is ready for official inauguration, and Government of Sindh has injected equity worth Rs: 550 Million into the Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas dual carriageway. Besides, an additional scope of work has also been under-taken amounting to Rs19.456 Million for the construction of additional 110 culverts and water courses.

Chief Minser Sindh directed Secretary Works & Services, Commissioners of Hyderabad, & Mirpurkhas, Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad,Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar to provide necessary protection to contractors and the work be completed upto December 15,2012. With regard to Jherrak-Mula Katyar, the meeting was informed that the Government of Sindh has allocated Rs525 Million as equity for the project , and Habib Bank Limited has been selected as the SBLC provide for the financial close by the VGF Board. Regarding Khajoor Mandi Project, the Board approved the project worth cost of PKR 3000 Million at Khairpur and termed it first pilot project and first PPP project.

It was decided to launch the project early. The Board also approved National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Security & Fire Safety Contract, Sindh Mega Infrastructure Development Authority, PDF funding as required for hiring of consultants for Rapid Transit project. The Chief Minister Sindh directed to complete the remaining work on fast tract basis and that all necessary administrative help will be extended to fill New Jersey barrier.

Source

[OmI92]

Mangla powerhouse: US to provide $150 million for upgradation

The United States of America (US) will provide $150 million to the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for up-gradation of the Mangla Power House. This announcement was made by the US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson during his visit to Mangla Dam and the Power House.

"The US Government assistance helped build Mangla Dam" Ambassador Olson told the media. "Now, nearly 50 years later, the US is helping to repair Mangla Power House to make sure it continues to produce the energy this country needs." He added "Our commitment to help repair the Mangla Power House today builds upon efforts begun in the 1960s. The US was then, as it is now, committed to working with the Government of Pakistan on large-scale energy projects that help the people of Pakistan live secure and prosperous lives." This project to upgrade the Mangla Power House is just one element of a comprehensive US energy assistance programme in Pakistan, which includes renovating the power plant at Tarbela, up-grading the Guddu, Jamshoro and Muzaffar Garh power plants, and completing the construction of the Satpara and Gomal Zam Dam.

WAPDA Chairman Raghib Shah said that WAPDA had initiated up-gradation project of Mangla Power House to enhance its generation capacity to 1310 mega watt (MW) from the existing 1000 MW. This up-gradation was a part of the two-pronged strategy aimed at optimal utilisation of indigenous hydropower resources. In addition to constructing new projects, WAPDA was also rehabilitating and up-grading its aging power houses under the strategy, he further said.

Earlier, WAPDA Chairman referring to the support provided by the US in implementation of various WAPDA projects, said that WAPDA highly valued this assistance. He said that the commencement of Mangla Power House up-gradation was yet another milestone in US-Pakistan co-operation for the development of the energy sector. He expressed the hope that this co-operation would be further enhanced in the days to come.

The US ambassador also stated that the Mangla Dam- the first-ever mega multi-purpose project in Pakistan, comprising water storage and four power generating units of 100 MW each - was completed in 1967 with the financial assistance of friendly countries, including the US. Subsequently, units 5 and 6 were installed at the powerhouse in 1974 and units 7and 8 in 1981.

The Mangla Power House attained its maximum capacity ie 1000 MW in 1994 with the addition of units 9 and 10. Since its commissioning, the power house has contributed more than 200 billion units of low-cost electricity to the National Grid. The factor of depreciation with age of the generating equipment and the availability of additional water due to the raised Mangla Dam has made the refurbishment and up-gradation of the Mangla Power House necessary, which is currently underway and would be completed in phases with an estimated cost of $400 million, the Ambassador was informed. The US Ambassador and WAPDA Chairman also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the US's financial support for the up-gradation of the Mangla Power House.

Source

[OmI92]

[RFSK]

Reko Diq case: Companies not above Constitution, says CJ

ISLAMABAD: During Tuesday’s hearing of the Reko Diq case, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry said it was mandatory to consider Article 5 of the Constitution when entering into an agreement with a foreign company, adding that, no company, whether foreign or local, was above the Constitution, DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar, was hearing the Reko Diq case.

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that Article 5 of the Constitution made Pakistani law applicable to everyone inside Pakistani territory and that there was no requirement of citizenship for the law to apply.

Chief Justice Iftikhar further said that the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) contract was cancelled as it was in violation with the law, adding that, the same would apply to the Reko Diq agreement.

The chief justice questioned as to how the government of Balochistan could object to concessions on the issue of Reko Diq which were earlier granted by the provincial government itself.

He added that the Balochistan government should rectify to its own mistakes instead of passing on the onus to the court.

Counsel for the Balochistan government, Ahmer Bilal Soofi, informed the court that the concessions granted were against the law and the issue came into light upon review of the records.

Chief Justice Iftikhar responded saying that concessions aside, a contract had no legal status if it was not in accordance with the law.

The chief justice said any amendment made to the contract would have to be in accordance with the law, adding that, the Contract Act allowed limited amendments to be made in case of a mistake in an agreement

[smfarazm..]

Karachi. Korangi power plant 220MW. Was completed in 2010.
Sharing a pic here.

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

‘Russia would support Pak-Iran gas pipeline’

Russian Embassy counselor says Putin didn’t cancel visit but postponed it.

Russia would consider supporting the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project if Pakistan sought its help, a senior Russian diplomat said on Saturday.

Talking to The Express Tribune on the sidelines of a conference organised by the Voice of Russia at the South Asian Free Media Association office here on Saturday, Russian Embassy Political Counselor Vladimir Shreter said Pakistan was a sovereign state and it should take decisions independently. He said ties between Pakistan and Russia would improve in the coming days. “Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t cancel his visit to Pakistan, rather he just postponed it due to some engagements. He is eager to meet President Zardari at some other place,” he said.

He said Russia didn’t want to become just another donor for Pakistan, rather it wanted to engage Pakistan in mutually-beneficial areas. He said both countries wanted cordial ties.

Earlier, MNA Naseer Bhutta, addressing the conference, said the ice between Russia and Pakistan was melting. He said the two governments should take steps to improve bilateral ties. He said Pakistan could benefit from Russian assistance in several fields.

The Voice of Russia is an international multimedia broadcasting service sponsored by the Russian government. It broadcasts a programme in Urdu every day and has many listeners across Pakistan. The VoR organised the conference to interact with its listeners for the first time in Lahore.

VoR South Asia head Irina Maksimenko, speaking in fluent Urdu, said an agreement between Pakistan and Russia to run VoR transmissions on FM radio could be signed in the near future. VoR presenter Mujahid Mirza also addressed the conference.

Fahd Younis, president of the Listeners Club in Layyah, talking to the Tribune said, “I have been listening to VoR since 2007. Their programmes are very informative and entertaining. I have learnt the basics of the Russian language through the VoR Urdu service. Their programme Mashal-i-Raah guides youth on different issues. We get to learn a lot about Russian culture through their Urdu broadcasts.”

[khalid-don]

Originally Posted by Ahmad Rashid Ahmad

‘Russia would support Pak-Iran gas pipeline’

Russian Embassy counselor says Putin didn’t cancel visit but postponed it.

Russia would consider supporting the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project if Pakistan sought its help, a senior Russian diplomat said on Saturday.

I heard Pakistan has abandoned the IP pipeline project. If thats true this is the worst thing ever a Pakistani govt. can do to its people.

[smfarazm..]

KARACHI:
Hydraulic Turbine is being used to produce electricity from sea-water waves.



Students of Pakistan Navy Engineering College sucessfully produced power from this hydraulic setup at manora.
60 watt per second continuous power was received from this small setup during the test.


یہ پراجیکٹ پاکستان نیوی انجینئرنگ کالج، NUSTکے ڈین آف انجینئرنگ سائنس ڈاکٹر شفیق الرحمن کی نگرانی میں مکمل کیا گیا اور گذشتہ ماہ منوڑہ کے ساحل پر ویوانرجی سے 60 واٹ فی سیکنڈ بجلی مسلسل حاصل کی گئی.

سمندر کی لہروں سے زیادہ ایڈوانس طریقے سے ہائیڈرولک پریشر بناکر ٹربائن چلانے کا کامیاب تجربہ کیا گیا ہے یہ طریقہ لہروں کی آمد میں وقفے کے باوجود ایک accumulator میں جمع شدہ پریشر کے ذریعے مسلسل بجلی فراہم کرتا ہے، انھوں نے بتایا کہ پاکستانی سمندری حدود میں ہر ایک میٹر کی لہر سے 15 کلو واٹ بجلی پیدا کی جاسکتی ہے عموماً کراچی کے ساحل پر ڈیڑھ منٹ بعد دوسری بڑی لہر آتی ہے۔

[smfarazm..]

KESC receives $50 Million foreign direct investment





KARACHI: The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has confirmed receiving the investment of USD 25 Million each, from International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB), which now makes these two multilateral agencies, equity holders in KESC.


A KESC statement here on Thursday said that the IFC (a member of the World Bank Group) and ADB have subscribed to additional share capital by converting USD 50 million of their original USD 275 million financing facility to the power utility.

It said that as per the loan financing agreement signed by IFC and ADB with KESC in 2010, the two international institutions had the right to convert up to USD 50 million of their debt into equity before Dec 31, 2012.

This debt financing was provided by the two institutions to partly finance KESC's state-of-the-art and one of the most efficient power plants, the 560 MW BQPS-II.



This 560 MW plant has successfully been installed and commissioned mid of this year 2012, ahead of its planned schedule.

This encouraging endorsement by IFC and ADB is being hailed by KESC as a positive sign paving way for international investor confidence not only in the utility but also in the Pakistan economy.

KESC stated that this latest development is reflective of the confidence these two leading international financial institutions repose in the turnaround progress of KESC and it will go a long way in providing greater financial leverage to KESC and also create savings in terms of reduction in the servicing of financial charges.




http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-...vestment-.html

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Foreign interest: International lenders take equity stakes in KESC

Power utility confirms receiving $50m from IFC and ADB.

World Bank Group finance wing – International Finance Corporation – and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have bought equity stakes in the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) through subscribing an additional share capital of $50 million by converting their $275 million financing facility to the power utility.

KESC confirmed receiving the investment of $25 million each, from the IFC and the ADB, which now makes these two multilateral agencies, equity holders in the company, says a press statement issued on Thursday.

The direct and immediate impact of the conversion of this loan facility into equity means significant reduction in KESC’s debt, not only translating into greater financial leverage but also substantial savings in terms of financial charges.

According to the loan financing agreement signed by the IFC and the ADB with KESC in 2010, the two international institutions had the right to convert up to $50 million of their debt into equity before December 31, 2012. The debt financing was provided by the two institutions to partly finance KESC’s state-of-the-art efficient power plant, the 560 megawatt (MW) BQPS-II. The 560MW plant had been successfully installed and commissioned by mid of 2012, ahead of its planned schedule.

The encouraging endorsement by the IFC and the ADB is being hailed by KESC as a positive sign paving the way for international investor confidence not only in the utility but also in Pakistan’s economy. KESC said that this latest development is reflective of the confidence these two leading international financial institutions repose in the turnaround progress of the power utility.

[khalid-don]

Byco completes Pakistan’s largest oil refinery

Thursday, December 20, 2012 - Karachi—Byco Oil Pakistan Limited Wednesday announced the completion of the country’s largest oil refinery at Mouza Kund, District Lasbella, Balouchistan. A statement here said that at present the refinery is in state of pre-commissioning and preparatory activities wherein different plants, equipment and instrumentation are being put to confirmatory checks and tests.

It said that cold circulation of crude oil has already been established and sustained. Also furnaces of different process units have been test fired.

The refinery is ready for hot commissioning and start up, the statement added. It said that this newly commissioned petroleum refinery will have an installed refining capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. Combined with existing and fully operative smaller Refinery, the cumulative capacity shall be over 155,000 barrels per day which is 55% higher than the existing largest refinery in Pakistan.

Thus it will enhance overall crude oil refining capacity in the country from existing 12.25 to 18 million tons per year and will significantly contribute in reducing import of deficit refined petroleum products in the country. This Refinery can be further expanded up to 180,000 bpd. On this occasion, Qaiser Jamal, CEO, Byco Oil Pakistan Limited, stated, ‘This milestone, for sure, has been made possible with sheer hard work of our Employees and support and cooperation of all our valued contractors. Upon commissioning this refinery, with the blessings of the Almighty, will become the single largest in the country’. Along with this new refinery, the country’s first Isomerisation Plant is being Commissioned.

[khalid-don]

Iran’s ‘Pay-later’ offer of Oil and Refinery at Gwader
Posted on 18 December 2012.


Oil refinery#Anacortes Refinery (Tesoro Corporation),
When the RCD was formed, Iran had informed Ayub Khan that Tehran would keep oil out of the basket. How the world turns. Iran has offered 100,000 barrels per day of crude supply to Pakistan on a long term deferred payment basis. The US has attempted to block Iran’s oil exports to the world to build up economic pressure in trying to curb Tehran’s ‘going nuclear’ ambitions.

The offer was made by the Iranian government during the visit of the petroleum adviser Dr Asim Hussain to Tehran earlier this month.

The Iranian offers comes complete with an Oil Refinery. The crude oil imported from Iran will be processed by Pakistani refineries, and could be reexported to India or other countries — because it will no longer be considered Iranian Oil.

Iran has also offered to supply gas to Pakistan and has already built the pipeline up to the Pakistani border. It has also offered to loan $250 million to Pakistan to build the pipeline and $250 million to be paid as payment for gas.

This could boost trade and enterprise in Pakistan.

The biggest obstacle to this energy boost is US sanctions.

[khalid-don]

If this happens it would certainly boost our economic growth. I say we should go for regional trade rather than looking for aid or cutting deals with west.

[khalid-don]

Pakistan: Over 106MW wind power to come online next month

12/20/2012

KARACHI, Dec. 21 -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded 56.4 megawatts wind power project Jhampir is expected to start generating electricity from next month as the implementing company has completed all necessary work in this regard.

This is in addition to the project of Fauji Fertiliser Company Energy Limited (FFCEL) that is likely to become operational from next week and add about 50 megawatts electricity in the national electricity transmission system from next week.

In total more than 106 megawatts electricity would be included in the national power transmission system from next month when the wind energy projects of FFCEL and Zorlu Energy would become operational and start generating electricity.

The ADB is financing $143 million Jhampir windmill project, which is being executed by Zorlu Energy Pakistan, the local subsidiary of a Turkish company, on the land of 1148 acres at Jhampir in Thatta district of Sindh province.

As many as 34 wind turbines have been erected on the wind farm with power generation capacity of 1.8 megawatts each turbine.

The only formality for launching the power generation operation is the approval from National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC).

"We have completed all the work on the project and are waiting for the approval to start operation, from next month," Country Zorlu Energy Mumtaz Hassan told journalists at the project site.

The other formality is the inspection by independent engineers, who are likely to visit the site next week, he added.

"On our side we have completed the testing and next week independent engineers will be here to inspect the project and issue certificate," he said.

He said that the electricity of the wind farm would be included in the national grid through National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC). On the occasion, Project Direct Murad said that best technology has been utilised for the development of Jhampir wind energy project.

He said that Zorlu can develop more wind energy project to generate electricity from this renewable source of energy.

The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) played a crucial role in helping Zorlu Energy to initiate this project. In his detailed briefing, Deputy Director AEDB Naeem Memon said that Ghoro-Ketti Bandar wind corridor has potential to generate 40,000 to 50,000MW electricity from this free and clean source of energy.

The Ghoro-Ketti Bandar wind corridor spreads in about 110/70 kilometers in the Sindh and Balochistan province and has the vast potential of wind energy generation.

He said that as many as 24 projects have been identified for the generation of the wind power and many companies have been approaching AEDB for developing these projects. Work on some of these projects is already going while others would be launched after formal procedures.

He said that the country would also get carbon credit for about 95,000 tons that would be shared between seller and the purchaser. It is pertinent to mention here that Asian Development Bank is funding several projects in Sindh province aimed at poverty reduction and energy development.

The major projects include Sindh Costal Community Development Project (CCDP) launched to reduce poverty for rural households in Sindh Province by improving ecologically sustainable income opportunities and access to services for poor residents in eight coastal talukas of Thatta and Badin Districts. The power projects included Zorlu Wind Power Project, Jhampir and Grid Station Hyderabad Published by HT Syndication with permission from Right Vision News. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com