Pakistan Continues Initiative to Increase Reliance on Wind Power

After a Chinese investment in renewable energy, Pakistan opens a new wind farm to bolster energy production and decrease reliance on fossil fuels.

Pakistan is beginning to reap the benefits of Chinese investment in renewable energy infrastructure, with the opening of the first wind power project constructed as part of the huge China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, aimed at overhauling the country’s transport and energy systems.

Pakistan To Add 1 GW Wind Energy Capacity Over Next 2 Years

Pakistan is expected to see a huge jump in wind energy installed capacity over the next two years as 21 projects are lined up for commissioning.

Government officials in Pakistan has told local media that almost two dozen wind energy projects are currently at various stages of development and 1,012 MW capacity is expected to be added to the grid by 2018.

All these projects are being developed in the eastern province of Sindh which shares international border with the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. These states have some of the largest installed wind energy capacities among all Indian states.

Pakistan: Sindh Government Earmarks Rs 6.35 Billion for Energy Growth

The Sindh government has earmarked Rs 6.35 billion in the fiscal budget 2016-17 for energy growth with various initiatives of renewable and non-renewable sources. "The ADP for energy department is pitched at Rs 6.35 billion for FY 2016-17. With these funds, the Energy Department has taken various initiatives to increase the energy output through renewable and non-renewable energy sources," Sindh Finance Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah told the Sindh Assembly during his budget speech.

"Make Pakistan a self-sufficient country in energy, Sindh is playing its due role by attracting new investments through a variety of fiscal and monetary incentives," he said, adding the government had framed the Sindh Power Policy aimed at attracting private sector investment.

Pakistan: Renewable Energy Growth Linked with Net Metering Law

There will be a phenomenal growth in power generation from renewable sources of energy once the regulations on consumer’s electricity sale to distribution companies get in place, a company’s senior executive said.  

“The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has already approved net metering regulations, but the distribution companies have some reservations over them and the law has not been implemented,” Chief Executive Officer Inam-ur-Rehman at Reon Energy, a leading solar solutions provider in Pakistan, told The News. 

'Wind Energy has Massive Potential,' CEO, Sachal Energy Development

"We have achieved all the major milestones. Earlier this month we signed the Energy Purchase Agreement with the NTDC, which is one of the most important milestones. Contracts including equipment and construction have also been finalised. Now we are waiting for the signing of implementation agreement, which will hopefully be done this month," says Kashif. 

Pakistan: National energy policy

Reportedly, recommendations have been made to PM to increase gas prices by 34 percent from January 2012, impose levy for next 15-20 years to build Rs100bn gas pipeline, keep existing fuel surcharges, transfer increase of gas prices on commercial sector to consumers, and use tax money to pay for subsidy to make imported gas affordable (Increase in gas tariff for all sectors proposed, local news, Dec. 29, 2011). The increase in gas prices and giving subsidy to energy mafia shows that PPP government has failed to devise a comprehensive energy policy. Due to government’s pro-energy mafia policies, the sector is profiteering at the cost of public and national interests. Pakistan therefore needs to adopt alternate energy to provide relief to public, sustain economy, generate jobs, reduce energy prices, end fuel subsidies, cut dependence on energy imports, decrease inflation, and control trade imbalances.

Pakistan: Alternative energy policy to attract investment

The Federal Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar has said that the new Alternative and Renewable Energy policy (ARE 2011) will supplement government’s open door initiatives for attracting investors in this sector, a statement said on Friday.

“The government is targeting fast track development of renewable energy projects through private investment,” Qamar said, while presiding over the 21st board meeting of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) the statement said.