Renewable energy project: KESC led initiative signs agreement with IFC

Bio-gas project is first of its kind and has the potential to be replicated across the country


Press Release November 12, 2012

KARACHI: The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and Aman Foundation’s collaborative initiative, Karachi Organic Energy Limited (KOEL), signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House on Monday.

KOEL, which is potentially the largest bio-gas projects of its kind, under this agreement will benefit from IFC’s advisory services project in the Middle East and North Africa.

It will see the IFC provide project management support to steer the overall project development activities and provide financial support on a number of work packages and value-added activities, including feedstock survey and logistical planning, supply chain development, rollout of many socio-economic initiatives and evaluating carbon / concessional finance options.

“This green energy project marks the first step towards a new era of clean energy in Pakistan. Such ventures, which contribute towards reducing the energy crunch, while paying back to the community, can prove to be a paradigm shift in the energy equation of our country,” said the Sindh Governor, Ishratul Ebad.

KOEL will be utilising biodegradable waste from the Landhi Cattle Colony and organic food waste from the city to produce 22MW of electricity and 100,000 tons per annum of organic fertiliser.

“There is tremendous potential in this bio-gas project, since its footprint extends beyond power generation, by having a positive outreach for the community and importantly for the environment,” said the KESC chief, Tabish Gauhar. This will be the first time in Pakistan in which a source of renewable energy will be utilised on a large scale and is expected to serve as a model to be replicated across the country.

The Aman Foundation chief, Ahsan Jamil, said that it was his foundation’s mandate to make a transformative community impact in Karachi and Pakistan, which is only enhanced by this venture.

“This project will help demonstrate the value that clean production programmes could add to the economy and communities,” said the Middle East and North Africa IFC director, Mouayed Makhlouf.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2012.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ