Renewable energy in Pakistan

[ghazi52]

Sindh to start World Bank-assisted project next month

Aim is to energise 200,000 rural homes using solar power

May 30, 2021
Azeem Samar,

The Sindh government is going to start from next month a World Bank-assisted project to energise 200,000 homes in far-flung rural areas of the province using solar power.Image Credit: Reuters


Karachi: The Sindh government is going to start from next month a World Bank-assisted project to energise 200,000 homes in far-flung rural areas of the province using solar power.

The decision to this effect was reached as Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting here at the CM House.

The project will be implemented in the districts of Khairpur, Sanghar, Badin, Ghotki, Jacoabad, Kashmore, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Tharparkar, Sujawal, and Umerkot.

The project is being initially launched in the districts of Sanghar and Khairpur. The vendors of the project in the two districts has been selected by the government.

In each of the district, 20,000 homes will be energised using the solar power. The total cost of the project is Rs four billion.

Sindh Chief Minister highlighted the aspect of the project that it would ensure uninterrupted power supply to the destitute people of the rural areas.


Electric supply

He said that such households should be selected as the beneficiaries of the project, which didn’t earlier have regular electric supply and that also lacked the capability to get the regular power connection.

Each of the selected household will be given a Solar Home System (SHS) comprising of PVC Solar Plates, a lithium-ion battery, three LED bulbs, a DC fan, and a port for charging the cellular phone. The 50 per cent cost of the SHS will be borne by the Sindh government while rest 50 per cent will be paid by the recipient household.

The 60 per cent recipient households of the project will be such families whose head is a female while 40 per cent selected households will be those where a male member heads the family.

The initiative to solarise 200,000 homes in rural Sindh is one of the components of the World Bank-funded US $ 100 million Sindh Solar Energy Project with the aim to increase solar power generation in the province. The other components of the project include development of solar parks and utilising rooftops of the public sector buildings in Karachi and Hyderabad for solar power production.

Sindh to start World Bank-assisted project next month

Aim is to energise 200,000 rural homes using solar power

gulfnews.com

 

[ghazi52]

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved $450 million in financing to support Pakistan’s transition to clean energy as the country aims to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel.

The project will help shift to domestic clean resources by investing in renewable energy generation, including hydropower and solar, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The project area includes Upper Dir and Swat districts.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hydropower and Renewable Energy Development Project will offer low-cost and low-carbon electricity and will support the economic development of communities near the hydropower and solar projects by creating jobs, and supporting infrastructure development and tourism activities.

“This project supports Pakistan’s goal to become a low-carbon, renewable energy-reliant economy by 2030 and contributes to its national target in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change,” said Najy Benhassine, World Bank country director for Pakistan. “It will facilitate the expansion of renewable energy in KP by identifying and preparing solar and hydropower projects that are technically sound, environmentally and socially sustainable, and investment ready.”

The project would push the country towards cleaner energy. To incentivize locals, the renewable energy project also includes “a comprehensive skills training program to build technical capacity in identifying investment opportunities, preparing projects, and mobilizing commercial financing,” said Mohammad Saqib, project’s task team leader. “In addition, by installing solar photovoltaic systems onto hydropower assets, production capacity is expected to rise and generate greater return on investments.”


The total cost of the project is approximately $727 million. The World Bank is lending $450 million, which includes International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan of $200 million with maturity time of 27 years and grace period of seven years, and International Development Association (IDA) credit of $250 million with maturity terms of 30 years and five-year grace period.

In July 2020, the State Bank of Pakistan doubled the scope of its renewable energy refinancing scheme from Rs1 billion to Rs2bn to encourage the production of clean energy.


Focus on renewables; Pakistan is eager to boost the share of renewables in electricity generation to 30 per cent by 2030. This will include mainly wind and solar power as well as geothermal, tidal, wave and biomass energy.

Pakistan’s current energy mix is mainly tilted towards thermal generation based on imported fuels. In FY19, nearly 40 per cent of country’s total electricity generated (and 55 per cent of thermal generation) was through imported fossil fuels that required US$4 billion (or 7 per cent of total import bill) in fuel payments for power generation, according to a World Bank report.

Pakistan’s power generation mix; Thermal electricity has the largest share in power generation, according to Pakistan Economic Survey 2019-20.

 

[Baz2020]

It will take a decade before the energy crisis in the country is over remember the distribution system is old.

 

[TheSnakeEatingMarkhur]

Work on 3 things

Transmission System
Artificial grids in small villages
Utilisation of small canals for water generated electricity..

 

[ghazi52]

Work on 3 things

Transmission System
Artificial grids in small villages
Utilisation of small canals for water generated electricity..

Yes, main problem is old transmission system.
Small hydrel power plants, there are lot of mini hydropower plants in KPK, need more in other areas.

 

[ghazi52]

Nepra for expanding renewable energy footprint to 30pc

The Newspaper's Staff
June 5, 2021

KARACHI: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) intends to enhance the renewable energy footprint to 30 per cent over the next 10 years from the current 3pc of Pakistan’s overall generation capacity of over 35,000MW, Nepra Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi said on Friday.

Addressing a live webinar on “Pakistan’s Energy Transition and the Road Ahead” hosted by K-Electric and Nepra, he said the current share of hydropower at 30pc should be included in the renewable energy mix which would enable Pakistan’s total progress in the renewable energy space to exceed 60pc in next ten years. This should result in an environmentally friendly and affordable energy mix in the country, he added.

“For renewable industry to innovate and thrive, Pakistan needs a transition in its generation, transmission and distribution system. Nepra has been constantly working to bring that very change and its actions are louder than words,” Mr Farooqi highlighted.

In her opening remarks, KE Chief Strategy Officer Naz Khan revealed that currently renewables have around 250MW of share in the utility’s total energy mix including almost 150MW from wind and 100MW from solar energy. She added that additional projects are in pipeline to increase the share of renewables to 350MW.

While moving accordingly as per guidelines and policies set by the federal government, KE looks forward to continuously increasing the share of renewables in its energy mix in the buildup to 2030, she said, adding that KE has stepped into the renewable energy space with the launch of its first ever subsidiary – K-Solar – which is another step to a greener and more sustainable future for our future generations.

Alternate Energy Development Board CEO Shah Jahan Mirza said that allowing purchase of power from solar and wind energy projects through competitive bidding remained one of the strong features of their new policy. This had never been done in Pakistan before, he claimed.

State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Director of IH&SMEFD Dr Mian Farooq Haq said the central bank had introduced a financing scheme in 2016 to lend support in addressing climate change issues and to promote renewable energy.

The scheme is continuing to offer varied financing options ranging from Rs400 million to Rs6 billion for a broad category of entities and individuals. As of February 2021, financing of around Rs36bn has been extended to over 500 projects,” he added.


Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2021

 

[Surya 1]

Sindh to start World Bank-assisted project next month

Aim is to energise 200,000 rural homes using solar power

May 30, 2021
Azeem Samar,

The Sindh government is going to start from next month a World Bank-assisted project to energise 200,000 homes in far-flung rural areas of the province using solar power.Image Credit: Reuters


Karachi: The Sindh government is going to start from next month a World Bank-assisted project to energise 200,000 homes in far-flung rural areas of the province using solar power.

The decision to this effect was reached as Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting here at the CM House.

The project will be implemented in the districts of Khairpur, Sanghar, Badin, Ghotki, Jacoabad, Kashmore, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Tharparkar, Sujawal, and Umerkot.

The project is being initially launched in the districts of Sanghar and Khairpur. The vendors of the project in the two districts has been selected by the government.

In each of the district, 20,000 homes will be energised using the solar power. The total cost of the project is Rs four billion.

Sindh Chief Minister highlighted the aspect of the project that it would ensure uninterrupted power supply to the destitute people of the rural areas.


Electric supply

He said that such households should be selected as the beneficiaries of the project, which didn’t earlier have regular electric supply and that also lacked the capability to get the regular power connection.

Each of the selected household will be given a Solar Home System (SHS) comprising of PVC Solar Plates, a lithium-ion battery, three LED bulbs, a DC fan, and a port for charging the cellular phone. The 50 per cent cost of the SHS will be borne by the Sindh government while rest 50 per cent will be paid by the recipient household.

The 60 per cent recipient households of the project will be such families whose head is a female while 40 per cent selected households will be those where a male member heads the family.

The initiative to solarise 200,000 homes in rural Sindh is one of the components of the World Bank-funded US $ 100 million Sindh Solar Energy Project with the aim to increase solar power generation in the province. The other components of the project include development of solar parks and utilising rooftops of the public sector buildings in Karachi and Hyderabad for solar power production.

Sindh to start World Bank-assisted project next month

Aim is to energise 200,000 rural homes using solar power

gulfnews.com

This is excellent. Pakistan should keep investing more and more in renewable energy particularly in solar.

 

[ghazi52]

.,.

Consultation begins to revive stalled renewable energy projects​

Mushtaq Ghumman
February 26, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has initiated consultation for a way forward on dozens of stalled wind and solar PV projects under category-III, after being highlighted by Sindh and Balochistan governments, besides National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), which is interested in six stalled projects.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a Committee comprising Minister for Defence (Convener), Minister for Power, Minister for Commerce, Minister Human Rights, and Minister for Narcotics Control, Minister for Communication and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Establishment. However, later Minister for Law and Justice was also been included in the Committee.

According to PM’s directives, the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the Committee shall include analysing the issues and recommending a way forward regarding stalled wind and solar projects of category-III of RE Policy 2006.

According to sources, Prime Minister Office has sought daily update on the directions of Prime Minister in this regard.

According to decisions of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), duly upheld by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) while approving the ARE Policy, 2019, Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) has been mandated by the Federal Government to conduct competitive bidding among the Letter of Intent (LoI) holders set forth in Category-III of the CCoE decisions.

As per the decisions of the CCI, the Category-III projects are allowed to proceed ahead subject to becoming successful in the competitive bidding process to be undertaken by AEDB for each technology based on: (i) the quantum ascertained by Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP); and (ii) confirmation of Interconnection Ready Zones (IRZs) by NTDCL.

The IGCEP 2021 approved by Nepra on September 24, 2021, allocates a quantum of 1000 -MW each for induction of wind and solar power capacity through competitive bidding by year 2024. Furthermore, the information/ confirmation pertaining to IRZs have also been provided by the NTDC/Discos.

According to CEO, AEDB, Shah JahanMirza, the category-III includes 31 wind projects with cumulative capacity of 2,139-MW and 69 solar PV projects of 4,193-MW. As per the eligibility criteria for Category-III projects, only the projects having valid LoIs and land can participate in the bidding process. Furthermore, the land of the LoI holders must be located within a certain radius of the IRZs.

As per the information gathered from the provincial energy departments, 22 wind projects of 1289-MW capacity and 27 solar PV projects of 1570-MW capacity with valid LoIs and land are falling under the IRZs provided by NTDC/ Discos.

Keeping in view the capacity of the LoIs with land falling under the IRZs and to create competition amongst the LoI holders, AEDB has proposed that a quantum equal to approx. 25% of the LoIs falling under the IRZs and having land available with them may be allocated for Category-III wind and solar projects which will bring approx. 322 MW capacity of wind and approx. 392-MW capacity of solar PV into the national grid.

As per the decision of the CCI, the LoIs of unsuccessful bidders (including those who do not participate in the bidding process) shall stand lapsed/b cancelled and the Bank Guarantees (BGs) provided against the LoIs will be returned in full.

AEDB, sources said, has sought consent of Power Division and Provincial Governments on the proposal enabling AEDB to proceed further with the competitive bidding process of category-III wind and solar PV projects. Further written confirmation in respect of lapsing/ cancellation of the LoIs of unsuccessful bidders may also be provided.

According to sources, Khawaja Asif-led committee has yet not started deliberations on the stalled wind and solar projects of category-III. The Committee will have to submit its recommendations to Prime Minister soon, after which a final decision will be taken.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023

 

[ghazi52]

,..,
Chinese Solar modules are installed along roadside fuel stations and restaurants at Chitral in KP province, reduces electricity costs and makes it more economically viable, saving 6.3MWh of electricity and reducing carbon emissions by 5 tons per year.

 

[ghazi52]

,.,..

Chinese firms to promote renewable energy​

Solar goods exhibitor says Pakistan should opt for industrial transfer from China

APP
March 23, 2023

LAHORE: “The lately closed three-day Pakistan Solar Exhibition provides a unique platform to build partnerships with local governments and private sectors to find innovative solutions,” said Chinese exhibitor Howard Fu.

At this expo, “we display product solutions dedicated to the local market, so as to further promote the development of renewable energy in Pakistan.” Howard, Pakistan Country Director of a Chinese power supplying company, had a bumper harvest at the show, signing a total of 100MW+ distribution deals.

The product portfolio displayed in the exhibition includes residential solar-plus-storage solutions, commercial and industrial solutions, and “1+X” Modular Inverter for utility-scale markets.

Pakistan is a fast-growing country with chronically tight energy supplies. It has a clear competitive advantage in photovoltaic (PV) power generation due to abundant light and land.

More people are choosing renewable energy because of its competitive leveled cost of electricity (LCOE).

The increasing influx of foreign investment into the solar market encouraged by the government is also bringing more technology to the country. Pakistan has invested billions of dollars in solar projects to encourage businesses and individuals to invest in solar power and increase the share of renewable energy to 60% by 2030.

Mark Gong, Sales Manager of another Chinese power company, was optimistic about the solar energy industry in Pakistan and expressed his strong determination to continue participating in such exhibitions and play his part in raising public awareness of solar energy options to advance solar energy in the country’s metropolises and non-matrix regions.

“China is a leading country in PV. Pakistan lacks an industrial base for photovoltaic products, while it, as the sixth most populous country in the world with a huge consumer market and abundant human resources, has the advantages to undertake industrial transfer from China,” remarked exhibitor Eric Zhao.

It was the second time Eric has attended the solar expo, and he feels the heat of market atmosphere even more.

 

[ghazi52]

.,.,

Solar farms or polar farms​

When it comes to solar farms, there are customised conspiracy theories

Imran Jan
March 26, 2023

When humanity started manufacturing tools to make the work of human beings easier and more efficient and to make lifestyles more comfortable, there arose a serious need for more energy to run the industry that made those tools.

That was the crucial point in the history of energy making where humanity made a grave mistake, which led to consequences with which generations to come would have to fight. That grave mistake was to look for energy under the surface of the earth rather than above the atmosphere.

Humanity started digging for fossil fuel to generate energy to run the industries instead of using the energy the sun was drenching the earth with every day. We could have gone solar instead of going fossil. But we didn’t. Governments around the world range from utterly reluctant to somewhat inclined toward it. But I am sure of one thing about solar energy and its relationship with all the governments around the world: someday they would all tax it.

There is a strong urge in the United States right now to generate solar power. Tesla has plans to install vehicle charging stations which would be entirely run by solar power, meaning your Tesla or any other electric vehicle would charge directly from the sun. That being said, the United States is also home to the wildest conspiracy theories ever heard. Wind farms have suffered massive propaganda attacks from the far right groups such as that they are noisy and residents in the area cannot sleep at night, that they cause birth defects in Portuguese horses, and that the turbines break and fall in nearby areas potentially killing people. The last nail in the coffin is the online propaganda that wind farms do not reduce any carbon emissions.

When it comes to solar farms, there are customised conspiracy theories. Perhaps the most ridiculous one and yet believed the most is that solar farms suck the energy out of our sun rendering it useless for humanity in the near future. Another says that solar farms destroy arable land and create toxic air in the area causing cancer to those who live nearby.

There are many others but there is an interesting thing happening right now: the activists who have been led to believe in those conspiracy theories are protesting out of genuine concern for their communities and they are joined by those industry players who benefit from the spread of such conspiracy theories.

Not just the fossil fuel industry but even the nuclear energy industry also feel threatened by the increase in the energy market share and potential overtaking of the US energy market by solar and wind energy production means. Currently, only about 3.4 % of the US energy production happens through solar means. That is going to dramatically increase over the years if the United States has to slow down and eventually stop carbon emissions resulting from dirty energy.

When solar farm plans are advertised in any community across America, wild conspiracy theories are suddenly born and spread across the internet. The result is a divided and confused population in the area with mixed feelings, if not total rejection, for the proposed solar farm.

The conspiracy theories play the role of slowing down, if not outright dismantling, of the plans for installing solar farms in various communities across America. This is one of the previous methods used by the tobacco and fossil fuel industries in creating doubt and dividing people over opinion. Michael Mann has written about it in his impeccable book The New Climate War and I wrote about it in this space as well.

It is quite a remarkable trait of human beings to be in favour of actions that are against their own interests. I mean really, why else would we be smoking cigarettes and driving gasoline run cars, while knowing we are actually committing a slow mass suicide. Science has fought against deadly diseases but it has made us deadly.