1,000MW clean energy to be produced in a year
Govt shifts focus to hydro, wind, coal and solar power.
ISLAMABAD:
The government has said that it is gearing up efforts to add about 1,000 megawatts of clean and cheaper electricity to the national grid within a year.
This is part of government’s drive to change its energy fuel mix and focus on hydro, wind, coal and solar power generation in order to produce cheaper electricity.
“All resources are being utilised to bridge the gap between demand and supply and various measures are being taken in this regard,” said the Ministry of Water and Power in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar has directed Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) to step up efforts and ensure timely completion of ongoing projects.
They have also been asked to complete feasibility studies of future projects and bring them for investment.
According to the breakdown, about 300MW small hydropower projects will start production by December this year. One project of 18MW and other of 84MW will come online in early 2013. Wind projects of 150MW will generate electricity by December this year and a further 400MW will be added to the system by the middle of 2013.
“A policy for investors is being formulated for investment in solar power generation and upfront tariff will be announced,” the statement said.
It said the government had also taken measures for coal power generation and investors were being welcomed to invest in this sector. In addition to these, old state-owned plants are being rehabilitated and upgraded to improve power production.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2012.
The government has said that it is gearing up efforts to add about 1,000 megawatts of clean and cheaper electricity to the national grid within a year.
This is part of government’s drive to change its energy fuel mix and focus on hydro, wind, coal and solar power generation in order to produce cheaper electricity.
“All resources are being utilised to bridge the gap between demand and supply and various measures are being taken in this regard,” said the Ministry of Water and Power in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar has directed Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) to step up efforts and ensure timely completion of ongoing projects.
They have also been asked to complete feasibility studies of future projects and bring them for investment.
According to the breakdown, about 300MW small hydropower projects will start production by December this year. One project of 18MW and other of 84MW will come online in early 2013. Wind projects of 150MW will generate electricity by December this year and a further 400MW will be added to the system by the middle of 2013.
“A policy for investors is being formulated for investment in solar power generation and upfront tariff will be announced,” the statement said.
It said the government had also taken measures for coal power generation and investors were being welcomed to invest in this sector. In addition to these, old state-owned plants are being rehabilitated and upgraded to improve power production.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2012.