September 08, 2008

Pakistan energy board issues LoI to 93 firms for wind power

Officials of Alternative Energy Development Board of Pakistan, during a meeting with Mr Tariq Hameed the caretaker federal minister for power & water, informed that letters of intent have been issued by the government to 93 local and foreign firms for power generation using wind energy to help meet the country’s growing power demand,.

AEDB officials told the minister that 5 investors had applied for licenses to set up such facilities at Gharo Keti Bandar in Sindh where the AEDB had identified the potential of around 50,000 MW. They added that licenses were issued to Green Tower, New Park Energy, Tenega, Win Power and Miligro. The licenses of Zephyr Power, Zolyu Energy and Beacon Energy are under process. Moreover, land has been allotted to 15 companies so that each of them could establish plants for 50 MW each.

Officials said that the major thrust of the AEDB was to assist investors in meeting the increasing power demand. Pakistan has been facing a power crisis and the galloping demand supply gap had resulted in frequent breakdowns, hurting not only domestic consumers but also the industry. Officials further said that the generation potential was based on 3 year wind data gathered at Gharo-Keti Bandar by the Meteorological Department.

Mr Hameed had held 2 separate meetings with AEDB officials and the Indus River System Authority officials to seek briefings regarding ongoing and upcoming projects. In another meeting, IRSA officials told Mr Hameed that a meeting of the advisory committee would be held on December 3rd 2007. During the meeting, all provinces are expected to present their water plan for the Rabi season.