While informing that its under-construction 56 MW wind power project in Jhimpir coastal area of Sindh will commence operations from December this year, the Zorlu Energy Group of Turkey has shown interest for investment in another 200 MW wind power project.
A three member delegation of the company led by Ibrahim Sinnon Ak called on the Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar and informed that financial close for the 56 MW project was achieved and all other requirements were complete and construction was going on at the site.
An official source said the Turkish investors informed that they have decided to make further investment to set up another wind project of 200 MW. They said they were already started work on the new project. They asked for the provision of land in the wind corridor in coastal area of Sindh for their 200 MW wind project.
Turkish firm has already awarded contract to Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas for 28 MW turbines for its wind power project. Delivery of the wind turbines is scheduled to start in the first half of this year and the wind power project is expected to be completed by the end of the current year. The first phase of the wind power project comprising 6 MW has been in operation since 2009.
Zorlu’s 56 MW wind power plant will have an estimated annual production of 159,000 MWh per year, which corresponds to the residential electricity consumption of approximately 350,000 persons in Pakistan. The wind farm will save the environment from more than 90,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions on an annual basis. Appreciating the Turkish investment in the alternative energy projects, the minister said that it will attract more investment in the renewable energy sector. He said that the government has planned to generate 1500 MW on fast track basis from wind energy and upfront tariff has been announced in this regard to facilitate the investors. The minister assured the delegation that land for 200 MW wind project will be provided to the company on lease at the earliest and directed the AEDB to take up the matter with Sindh for early allotment. He said the government will facilitate the Zorlu Energy Group and other Turkish investors and asked them to make more investment in this sector. He said Pakistan is facing energy crisis and the government is taking all possible steps to overcome the energy shortages.
