Denmark is a great friend of Pakistan and has helped the local authorities in pointing out areas of the province where wind power projects could be set up, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the agreement signing ceremony regarding wind technology projects between the Punjab government and an international company of Denmark on Thursday.
On behalf of the Punjab government, Energy Department Additional Secretary Khalid Awais Raja signed the agreement, while VESTAS Vice President Gerard Carew signed on behalf of Denmark.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Ambassador of Denmark Jespar Moller Sorensen were present on the occasion.
The ambassador pointed out that a great deal of potential exists for generating over 1000 megawatts of electricity from wind in the north and south of the province. He also stated that wind technology potential in Punjab is greater than in Sindh area of Jampir.
According to the agreement, four pilot projects pertaining to wind power would be developed by the Danish company for which the government would provide all possible facilities. Every pilot project has the potential of generating up to 250 megawatt electricity. Development work at four potential locations for wind technology would expeditiously be completed on war-footing.
Talking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister said that Denmark is a global leader in wind energy and meets a great percentage of energy needs of its own country through wind power. He said that Punjab would vigorously benefit from the expertise and cooperation of Denmark in wind technology to deal with its energy crisis. He further said that the Danish ambassador took personal interest in promotion of wind energy in Punjab and thanked him for his deep interest in mapping locations in Punjab suitable for generating electricity through wind technology. He said these projects would be completed expeditiously and in a transparent manner with the cooperation of Denmark which will prove to be a milestone in overcoming the energy crisis in the province.
The chief minister directed formulation of the Punjab Wind Power Company and said that a Quaid-e-Azam Wind Power Park would be established on the pattern of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park.
Addressing on the occasion, the Danish ambassador said that Denmark would provide all possible cooperation to Pakistan to deal with its energy crisis. He said installation of wind technology in Punjab would help a great deal in overcoming energy crisis. He further said that the process of locating appropriate places for wind technology had been completed in various areas of north and south of Punjab with the help of latest technology.
Gerard Carew, Vice President of VESTAS, pointed out that Denmark has great expertise in renewable energy and 40 percent of energy needs of Denmark are being met through wind technology. He congratulated the chief minister on this important step.
Chief minister’s special assistant Azmul Haq, chief secretary, Planning and Development secretary, Punjab Power Development Company chairman, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park CEO and officials of VESTAS were also present on the occasion.
