Based in the Landhi Cattle Colony, it is expected to be the largest bio-gas power plant of its kind. IFC's support will come from IFC InfraVentures, an early-stage equity investment fund which supports infrastructure projects in developing countries. It will work hand-in-hand with KESC and Aman Foundation and will provide a share of the seed capital, aiming at attracting subsequent financing at a later stage.
This waste-to-energy facility in Landhi Cattle Colony will convert approximately 4,200 tons per day of cattle waste from Landhi Cattle Colony and 700 tons per day of organic food waste from the city to bio-gas which will be utilised for power generation at a facility with an installed capacity of up to 30 MW.
The residual organic content is expected to be processed into over 100,000 tons per annum of soil amendment (low nutrient organic fertiliser). The project, with a total investment of approximately $80 million, will be developed in two phases with installed capacity of 15MW each.
This is the first time in Pakistan that a source of renewable energy will be utilised on a large scale and this project is expected to serve as a model for the rest of the country. There is tremendous potential for this bio-gas project, as its footprint extends beyond power generation by having a positive outreach for the community and importantly for the environment.
KESC Chief, Nayyer Hussain said that this green energy project is in line with KESC's Climate Change Policy and marks a significant step towards a new era of clean energy in Pakistan. Such ventures will not only contribute towards reducing the energy demand-supply gap but also bring about a paradigm shift in the energy equation of our country, while creating meaningful social and environmental value.
Ahsan Jamil, CEO Aman Foundation, said that this project embraces Aman's mission to transform underserved communities while ensuring this is achieved through sustainable development approaches. KOEL, a renewable energy project has a triple bottom line of financial, social and environmental sustainability. "This project is a prime example of how innovation can be used to tackle some of Pakistan's most pressing development issues," said Mouayed Makhlouf, IFC Director for the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to providing KOEL with seed capital, IFC is advising the company on the development of the biogas plant.-PR