China firm in talks for $3 bln Pakistan wind farm

[Windjammer]

HONG KONG: Chinese oil and gas company United Energy Group Ltd said on Wednesday it plans to invest $3 billion in a wind farm project in energy-starved Pakistan and is in talks to buy equipment from mainland suppliers.

United Energy, which paid BP $775 million for oil and gas assets in Pakistan in 2010, said it plans to construct the wind farm in several phases. It did not disclose the targeted total capacity for the project or provide a timeframe.

The company said, however, it had already obtained approval from the Pakistan government to construct a wind power project with a capacity of 500 megawatts.

Pakistan, which suffers chronic shortages of electricity, is offering clean energy producers higher rates for renewable power as it seeks to boost production, while diversifying energy supply away from oil and gas.

The major suppliers of wind power equipment in China are Sinovel and Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology .

Shares of United Energy closed flat in Hong Kong on Wednesday, against a 1.9 per cent drop in the benchmark Hang Seng Index.

China firm in talks for $3 bln Pakistan wind farm | DAWN.COM

 

[fd24]

This would be great to see and a great boost for all - bring it on. Pakistan must encourage and facilitate this type of investment

 

[Jango]

How much is the expected output , time frame, area etc etc?

Let's hope that it doesn't just vanish to feudal politics.

I am hoping though!!! 3 Billion means some serious investment.

 

[Windjammer]

How much is the expected output , time frame, area etc etc?

Let's hope that it doesn't just vanish to feudal politics.

I am hoping though!!! 3 Billion means some serious investment.

The power shortages has shaken this inept government to it's core and they will be eager to come over this shortfall by all means. A relative who has just returned from a visit to Pakistan tells me that quite a few albeit small in nature, projects have been put in place in the Kaghan region since there is ample supply of water to run turbines.

 

[Jango]

The power shortages has shaken this inept government to it's core and they will be eager to come over this shortfall by all means. A relative who has just returned from a visit to Pakistan tells me that quite a few albeit small in nature, projects have been put in place in the Kaghan region since there is ample supply of water to run turbines.

These small projects are quite a few in number, and they are in full swing in many areas, but a big mega project is still nowhere to be seen.

 

[Windjammer]

These small projects are quite a few in number, and they are in full swing in many areas, but a big mega project is still nowhere to be seen.

I heard some big hydro project was taking shape on Neelum River in Muzzaffar Abad. !!

 

[KRAIT]

Alongside with wind energy, pakistan can meet its energy demand through solar power and can ask China to invest as they are leader in this field.

 

[Jango]

I heard some big hydro project was taking shape on Neelum River in Muzzaffar Abad. !!

It's 969 MW, and expected to be completed around 2016, and the cost has inflated a bit as well. It's a start though.

I am talking about something in 3000 to 5000 MW range.

 

[ziaulislam]

lets hope they invest in either bunji or DASU hydro projects combining both can virtually provide 100% of pakistan electricity.

since govt isnt ready to spend from its pocket foreign investment seems only option

 

[ziaulislam]

p.s
why should pakistan concentrate on expensive energy when it can get it from relatively cheaper ways i.e hydro,coal
one advanatge howvevr in wind is today is excellent incentives from sindh govt plus time of construction which is 1 year vs 6-8 ywears in hydro and 3-4 years in coal
this time is essential factor dealing with the unpredictable Pakistani political system

 

[Jango]

BUNJI HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Let's hope Bunji gets going sometime in the near future.

A couple of mega projects are needed, along with some small ones to cater to the needs till 25 years after their construction, because a dam is constructed in a decade, not couple of years.

If we do something now, only then will there be no loadshedding 30 years later.

 

[Windjammer]

What's the word on Thar Coal Project, I did read to the effect that some wells have already been potentially lit.
Despite all the controversy, one can't deny the confirmation by Dr Samar.

 

[Hyde]

What's the word on Thar Coal Project, I did read to the effect that some wells have already been potentially lit.
Despite all the controversy, one can't deny the confirmation by Dr Samar.

Yes but even he confirmed that the coal in thar is of very low quality and can't be extracted to take it from one place to another as it is going to burn in the way due to heat. So even Dr Samar is finally accepting the fact that the thar coal can't be exported even inside Pakistan and can only be utilized if either coal based power plants are installed inside the Thar deserts or coal-powered industrial units are built nearby the Thar deserts range. Otherwise Coal-gasification will provide gas that can be transported to rest of the country or can be connected to existing pipelines to add in the national grid.

So all in all, he didn't say but he himself is partially disappointed in my opinion

@ topic

It's a great news and I am glad to hear that it seems to be in the initial stages so I sincerely hope it really does happen without any trouble.

 

[Safriz]

wind power never works at 100% capacity and is expensive....It wont be a solution to Pakistans energy crisis of 8000 MW shortage...
Big nuclear plants or Thar coal is the only immediate solution and more dams for long term...

 

[Hyde]

wind power never works at 100% capacity and is expensive....It wont be a solution to Pakistans energy crisis of 8000 MW shortage...
Big nuclear plants or Thar coal is the only immediate solution and more dams for long term...

We need to build Bunji dam and Diamer Bhasha dam within 5 years so more than half of the energy problems are resolved (I know I am dreaming). I am in favour of Nuclear energy but it would require "cash" and the International community would never allow us to have India-like exemption unless you can afford to keep their big mouth shut by the dollars.

The only solution to our energy crisis is to attract foreigners and let them build whatever they want to. Be it wind power, hydro, coal or even Solar. The general demand of Pakistani public is "Electricity first before the prices".