Renewable energy: Tuwairqi signs agreements with Slovenian companies

Sindh government keen to expand hydel projects.

KARACHI:
Tuwairqi Steel Mills Limited (TSML), in collaboration with Gresham’s Eastern Private Limited, has formally signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with three Slovenian companies (IBE, Turbo Institute and KIV) for the development of renewable energy projects.

In addition to steel manufacturing, TSML – a subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian group Al Tuwairqi Holding – is also involved in the country’s energy sector.

IBE, an independent engineering consulting company, will provide technical assistance in setting up alternative energy-based plants, while Turbo Institute will provide technology for small and small to medium-scale turbines. KIV, on the other hand, will share expertise in gasification and power generation from municipal solid waste and bio-mass sources.

The MoUs were signed by representatives of all five companies concerned at the head office of the Sindh Board of Investment. Adviser to Chief Minister Sindh for Investment Mohammad Zubair Motiwala was also present at the signing ceremony.


The companies were part of a Slovenian trade delegation which is visiting Pakistan to encourage cooperation in the field of renewable energy and other areas of mutual benefit to both countries.

“The Sindh government will provide all-out support to Slovenian investors who want to share their technology and expertise in renewable energy,” said Motiwala on the occasion.

He also said that the government was keen to take help from Slovenian experts in indentifying small and large hydroelectricity project sites to further augment the process of investment in the energy sector. General Director Turbo Institute Dr Vladimir Kercan pointed out that there existed the potential of generating about 60,000 megawatts of hydel energy in Pakistan – an extraordinary amount for a country struggling to manage the shortfall of energy.

Officials part of the visiting delegation said that they were not only willing to help develop Pakistan’s hydel sector but also initiate renewable energy projects.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2010.
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