Pakistan’s first solar power system goes online
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan’s first on-grid solar power generation system, Gilani said, “The projects commenced by the government not only look to tap conventional sources but also the renewable energy resources including wind, solar and biomass.”
“We are seeking international investment in this vital sector to build projects that can rid Pakistan of scourge of load-shedding, which has adversely affected our economic growth” he added. The premier said that apart from large hydel power potential, the identified potential of power generation from wind is about 43,000 megawatts (MW), whereas for solar, it is higher than 100,000MW.
The prime minister said that under the scenario of climate change and melting of glaciers, power generation from renewable energy resources has been given priority. Gilani assured that administration has been utilising all available resources to resolve the energy crisis in the country. He stated that an efficient and well planned energy mix will certainly help alleviate the crisis as well as meet future requirements, which will lead to economic sustainability.
Moreover, the government is continuously working to facilitate the investors and making reforms in the sector, he added. In this regard he praised the efforts of Pakistan Engineering Council and other partner organisations for implementing this first project of its kind to reduce the load on the national grid”. Gilani pledged that potential investors will receive the government’s full cooperation in this regard and urged the strategic partners and donors for their active role in renewable energy sector.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2012.
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This is a new drama for inviting new investors as old are quiting their business in Pakistan.
If any minister or any deptt thinks seriously for solutions, show a single, only a single office that you have managed to solar energy.
P.M 's statement has been issued from media centre, got photo copied and distributed to newpapers or emaied.
This is also example of our "research based journalsm".
General election is upcoming, lip-service has begun opening , prime minister is inaugurating the first. Be careful.
Not resolved four years, now the last years, you see,it would also be proved lip-service.
Agree with Basil....what a crap piece of journalism
@basil: Go to PEC website and get all the detail.
Solar power is Pakistan future, without increasing our electricity production mix of renewable energy to atleast 30% we will be facing the neverending curse of load shedding and constantly rising power prices we need to reduce our dependence on oil based imported fuels which should only be used during surges in demand and making up for shortfalls during reduced hydro electric production. Solar grid tied farms are reliable aslong as the sun is shining but even if you consider a 10% loss of production due to bad weather & line losses solar is still a viable option.
Nice. Hopefully PAK is manufacturing the solar panel and not importing them from China. If the PM is serious about 100,000 MW target(next 10 -15 years, ) PAK should be manufacturing her own own panel.
Instead of a sort of political lip-service & lofty claims by the P.M. it would have been better if the project director of such a project, if any, had furnished the details with authentic facts/practicability and the availability of funds etc.
So what is the capacity? What is the cost per kilowatt? Is it in public sector or private sector? Given that solar energy is very expensive at this time, will the costs be passed on completely to the consumer or will it add to the circular debt? Is it on grid or off grid?
I would have expected these points to be covered in this article instead of a political speech from PM speaking about global warming and potential of 100,000 MW through solar energy. even India which is aggressively investing in solar energy does not expect to have more than 20000 MW by 2020.
Should also have mentioned the incentive being offered to foreign investors for such projects
Badly written story! The crucial point according to the headline was that it is first ongrid project of certain capacity. What is that certain capacity, who is the owner of the project, which technology............. Just rhetoric of the failed government. Please write stores with proper perspective
Where is this system located ? Who installed it ? What kind of technology does it use ? What's its size ? Details please. No one really wants to know what the pm said