HESCO signs first wind project with Turkish firm

[LahoreEstate]

ISLAMABAD: An agreement for wind power generation worth $130 million is signed between Hyderabad Electric Supply Corporation (HESCO) and Turkish company Zorlu Enerji.

Both the companies signed the energy purchase agreement for purchase of 6MW electricity generated at the company’s facility in Jhimpir. The project would bring $130 million investment and by December 2009, it would generate 50MW power. Murat Sungar Bursa, President Zorlu Enerji, and Karim Buksh Qureshi, CEO HESCO signed the agreement.

NEPRA has awarded tariff of US cents 12.1057 per KW, which is cheaper than the electricity generated from thermal sources. The power generated from the first phase would be provided to Jhimphir grid station by HESCO and would be sufficient to electrify 6900 homes in Hyderabad region.

Witnessing the first power generation agreement through wind, Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Saturday said the government was utilising every source of electricity generation to end the power shortfall by end year.

Speaking on the occasion the minister said this was first power generation project through wind and expressed the hope that it would bring more investment in the country. The government has initiated several power generation projects including rental, which would bring more power in the system. He said that 4000MW would be added to the national grid at the end of this year. The water and power minister claimed that the government needed about $30 billion to add 15,000MW in the system. The minister said that both international and private investment in power sector is coming for various mega projects including Basha dam, Neelum Jehlum and other projects.

For harnessing wind energy, the minister said, several studies were carried out in the country particularly in Kalar Kahar and other parts of Sindh. The minister congratulated Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) for signing the agreement with Turkish company.

President Zorlu Enerji, Murat Sungar Bursa said incentives offered by Pakistan’s Renewable Energy Policy were a major factor in the company’s decision to invest here. He described the AEDB’s “open for business” attitude as refreshing. He announced that capacity of the wind farm would be enhanced to 300MW upon successful completion of 50MW phase. “There is a need for relentless efforts to harness local energy resources and not be held hostage by volatile international oil prices,” Turkish ambassador Engin Soysal added.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_9