Wind energy is the cheapest source of electricity generation and doubtlessly it is a great blessing for a country like Pakistan which is burdened heavily with costly power generation like thermal and hydel sources.
New Park Energy Limited is a partner of consortium comprising Dorsch Consult Germany and Albario Engineering Limited, and it had submitted proposal to the AEDB some time back for power generation through wind energy.
The AEDB has asked the New Park Energy Limited to complete the first phase of its programme in six months. On completion of the project, the consortium would sell electricity to Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), for which its representatives are already engaged with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for signing a power purchase agreement (PPA).
The consortium had given a detailed presentation to the AEDB at a meeting on August 24, which was followed by grant of permission to it for the construction of wind farm project. The AEDB Chairman, Air Marshal (Retd) Shahid Hamid, presided over the meeting.
The meeting was told that the consortium has 125 years experience in wind energy technology and it enjoys over 50 years experience in installation of wind farm and its operation and maintenance.
New Park Energy Limited Chief Executive Saeed Akhtar informed the board that Pakistan could make up its energy shortage by using its potential of wind power generation. Wind energy is an alternative source of power generation and it is environment-friendly, renewable and cost-effective.
Saeed Akhtar said that large amount of foreign exchange spent on oil import for energy generation could be saved by producing power through wind energy like other developing countries. He added that the mega project would open the doors of development and encourage other foreign investors to invest in Pakistan creating tremendous economic activity and offer the much-needed additional jobs opportunities.
After detailed discussion and deliberation the AEDB agreed with the proposal and allowed the Consortium to install its Farms near Karachi and start production of the first phase of 45 MW.
Karachi coast being ideal for wind farms, the government has decided to provide land to the consortium near Port Qasim within a short period of two weeks to expedite the start of work.
Saeed Akhtar told the meeting that this project is an important milestone in the growth, uplift and prosperity of the future generations of Pakistan. He said that energy is the bedrock of all future developments and a tapping into a natural and inexhaustible resource is a wise and visionary move by the government.