Pakistan’s first solar power system goes online

Pakistan seeks investment in renewable energy to combat a power crisis which has adversely affected economic growth.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that realising the country’s growing demand for power to operate industries, agriculture and domestic sector, the government has initiated several projects to resolve energy crisis.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Pakistan’s first on-grid solar power generation system, Gilani said, “The projects commenced by the government not only look to tap conventional sources but also the renewable energy resources including wind, solar and biomass.”

“We are seeking international investment in this vital sector to build projects that can rid Pakistan of scourge of load-shedding, which has adversely affected our economic growth” he added. The premier said that apart from large hydel power potential, the identified potential of power generation from wind is about 43,000 megawatts (MW), whereas for solar, it is higher than 100,000MW.

The prime minister said that under the scenario of climate change and melting of glaciers, power generation from renewable energy resources has been given priority. Gilani assured that administration has been utilising all available resources to resolve the energy crisis in the country. He stated that an efficient and well planned energy mix will certainly help alleviate the crisis as well as meet future requirements, which will lead to economic sustainability.

Moreover, the government is continuously working to facilitate the investors and making reforms in the sector, he added. In this regard he praised the efforts of Pakistan Engineering Council and other partner organisations for implementing this first project of its kind to reduce the load on the national grid”. Gilani pledged that potential investors will receive the government’s full cooperation in this regard and urged the strategic partners and donors for their active role in renewable energy sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2012.