President inaugurates first wind power project in Thatta

President Asif Ali Zardari inaugurated the first ever wind power project in the country at Jhampir‚ Thatta on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion‚ the president termed the windmill project a first baby step and said our industrialists and investors could do more by establishing such industries.
The president said that with the commencement of the first wind power project, Pakistan has entered into a new era. He termed the commencement as the first concrete step towards tapping country’s vast Renewable Energy resources.
The President, on behalf of the people of Pakistan and on his behalf, congratulated the FFC Energy Limited, Ministry of Water & Power, Chief Minister and the Government of Sindh, AEDB, federal and provincial agencies and all others who were associated with the setting up of the first wind power project of the country.
According to prepared text of his speech, the President remarked that Thatta region was bestowed with immense potential of wind energy. He said that once Thatta was a hub of civilization, a seat of learning and a centre of art and craft. However, it also remained in oblivion for centuries. The president said that now Thatta will soon become the Wind Power Center for Pakistan. The “Baab-ul-Islam”, Sindh (Thatta) will Insha Allha soon regain its past glory and become power house of development of Pakistan, he said in his remarks.
The president said that commencement of commercial operation of FFC Wind Farm was the beginning of exploiting the wind potential of Gharo?Keti Bandar Wind Corridor. This is an area that has power generation potential of 50,000 MW. He said that it was a matter of great satisfaction to learn that many more wind power projects were in pipeline and would commence commercial operations soon.
The president said that Pakistan was an energy deficient country. He said that continued population and economic growth has placed great demands on energy. Reversal of previous energy policies, depleting oil and gas reserves and price hike has made the country vulnerable. We cannot afford inaction as it was not an option, the President said.
Complimenting the role of AEDB in the project, the President said that he looks forward AEDB’s contributions in other sectors of Renewable Energy as well. We need to have similar successful projects in producing energy from waste, small hydro and sugar co-generation, he said on the occasion. He said that promotion of alternate modes of energy generation would not only reduce country’s dependence on costly fuel import but would also address many environmental issues caused by burning of the fuel. He also expressed satisfaction that Fauji Fertilizer would be adding 10 MW SOLAR PV to this 50 MW Wind project.
The president said that the launch of the First Wind Farm was an auspicious occasion which clearly demonstrated the commitment of the government to address the issue. The president said that the Government assumed office in the midst of energy crisis when the people of Pakistan were searching for alternatives.
He said that the country has tremendous resources of Wind, Solar and Hydro power. Unfortunately, he said, these resources have not been fully exploited. He said that converting potential into actual energy requires enabling environment, investment1 and state of the art technology. It requires bankable data, infrastructure, financing, creating incentives to investors and public support. The president expressed satisfaction that the Government has proceeded in the right direction and with a strong will to succeed.
On this occasion, the president also recounted various measures undertaken by the Government in the energy sector which included addressing policy and technical issues, initiating supportive measures, developing infrastructure, offering lucrative incentives, collecting bankable data, creating enabling environment and investor confidence, seeking support of international financial institutions, and attracting top manufacturers of the world through a cooperative approach. While acknowledging the role of all the partners in efforts to overcome energy shortage, the president said that the Government provided a level playing field to all investors, both local as well as foreigners. He said that the Government provided them one window facility through AEDB.
The president invited the local and foreign business community again to invest in energy sector saying that we offer the best incentives in the entire region. He called upon the private entrepreneurs to take great advantage of the incentives being offered by the Government of Pakistan.
Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President also advised Sindh Government to set up an industrial zone in the area so that the business community could take advantage of uninterrupted and continued availability of power. He said that the Government would continue to facilitate the business community through one-window facility as to help them take maximum advantage of the available business opportunities.
The president, on the occasion, also stressed upon the need to make appropriate plans and to work keeping in view the future requirements of the country with an increased population and greater requirements.
Meanwhile according to project director 33 big turbines have been installed at 1200 acres of land.
The project took a year to complete.