Plans for solar energy in the capital

ISLAMABAD: With the help of millions of dollars and ample sunlight, the Capital Development Authority is planning to address the problems of power cuts and the energy crises in the federal capital. In a new project, the CDA will set up geysers which will generate electricity through solar energy.

“I have directed the CDA Engineering Wing to chalk out a plan to procure power through a solar energy system to overcome the severe short-fall in the city,” said CDA Chairman Imtiaz Inayat Elahi. “The cost of the project will cross $100 million,” he added.

Elahi said generating power from solar energy would be financed with the help of money collected through property tax from the citizens of Islamabad, as well as through the auction of plots to foreign missions in the Diplomatic Enclave by the end of this year.

Normally, Islamabad requires nearly 400 MW during peak summer season and currently the city is facing a shortfall of 60MW per day. With the help of the new project, CDA plans to generate an additional 50MW per day. “PC-1 for the project will be finalised by the next month, after the meetings with Islamabad Electricity Supply Company,” he said.

Talking about electricity theft and other possible issues with electricity supply, the chairman expressed satisfaction over the prevailing situation in the capital. “It is the only city where 100 per cent consumers are registered with IESCO. Electricity theft is not an issue here, the landline electric system provides for secure electricity wires and connections,” he explained.

Moreover, the Engineer Operation IESCO Raja Muhammad Saeed confirmed that the civic body was in talks with the IESCO regarding preparation on the task of transforming solar energy into electricity.  “It is a new plan and a very expensive one. Millions of dollars would be spent on procuring ‘solar geysers’ and setting the whole system up for power generation,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2010.