Pakistan Wind Power
30 different wind power projects
The government of Pakistan is in the process of implementing no less than 30 different wind power projects. It plans to move from carbon-polluting electricity production to a much eco-friendlier set of power production. Two major wind power projects with a capacity of 106.4 MW have been implemented. It is supplying electricity to Pakistan’s national grid. Three further projects with a total capacity of 150 MW, have had their finances settled and are under construction. These projects are expected to achieve a Commercial Operation Date (COD) later this year. That’s not all. There are 11 wind power projects with a cumulative capacity of 550 MW which should achieve COD by the second quarter of 2016.
One of the first Modern Pakistan wind farms was established in Jhimpir, near Karachi, in April 2009. It began with five Turkish-made gearless INVENSYS 62 wind turbines each producing 1.2 MW. Pakistan is a country that needs energy for industrial growth. Power generation capacity hasn’t kept pace, resulting in widening of the demand-supply gap in energy.
Power is mainly generated through thermal power plants, which constitute almost 68% of total power generation capacity. Pakistan has become dependent on imported fossil fuels. This has added to the energy insecurity of the country as fossil fuel reserves are depleting and there has been an international trend of higher prices for these energy resources. Wind power, an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, clean and of course, produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
High-quality wind resource
Pakistan has a high-quality wind resource especially in the coastal areas of Sindh and Baluchistan. The Gharo-Keti Bandar Wind Corridor spreads 60 km along the coastline of Sindh province and more than 170 km deep towards the land alone. It has the potential to generate more than 60,000 MW of electricity. In order to harness the wind potential in Pakistan and encourage investment in wind power projects, the government of Pakistan has offered various incentives which include attractive tariff rates, availability of land on cheaper rates, wind risk, guaranteed power purchase, zero-rated import duties on the equipment and exemption of income tax & sales tax.
There is also a need to have better coordination between the institutes involved in the efficient and timely completion of the projects. Lack of infrastructure (roads, utilities, security, etc.) in the areas of wind power is also a hindrance in the development of the sector. The area selected for wind farms should be connected through road networks which are necessary for transportation of equipment and machinery to the plant site. The Government should also encourage the manufacturing of wind power equipment in Pakistan. Two key components of the wind turbine could be manufactured locally; the wind turbine tower and the turbine blades. There will be a saving of time and freight costs by local manufacturing as both of these components require special logistics arrangements. It will also generate employment opportunities for the local population. It is also important that the general public should be properly educated about the benefits of wind energy through awareness campaigns. Wind power projects shall create employment in the area and contribute to the prosperity of the population.
In conclusion, wind energy presents a considerable opportunity for Pakistan to obtain a significant part of the future energy needs and it seems serious about pursuing this now.
