AEDB to set up 18 megawatts wind farm in Gharo

Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB), Sindh will set up an 18 Mega Watt wind farm for power generation through wind in Gharo at an estimated cost of 14.18 million dollar, Business Recorder learnt here on Saturday.
The feasibility report for the installation of 18 MW wind power project in Gharo, has already been prepared by Pakistan Meteorological Department, sources in Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) said. They said that the payback period timing of the total investment made on the project was estimated at around 7-8 years.
"The power generated through wind turbines would cost Rs 2.5 to 3 per Kilowatt Hour which is very cheap," they said and added that the project would be first step towards generating electricity through alternative ways.
Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has recently conducted a detailed Wind Power Potential Survey along the coastal areas of the country and Ministry of Science and Technology provided the funding for it. The study has enabled us to identify the potential areas where economically feasible wind farms could be established to generate power, they added.
One interesting aspect of the survey is that contrary to general impression, Sindh coastal areas have more potential than Balochistan coastal areas, they said. "In Sindh potential areas spread over 9,700 Kilometres where wind farms could be established for power generation."
In Gharo, where 18 MW wind farm would be set up, PMD collected wind data and recorded air measurements during the last 24 months. The annual wind speed is estimated to be 6.8 m/s at 50 meters above the ground level while aerial density is 608.6 W/m, which means that the area is in category of good power potential and economically feasible wind farm could be set up there.
Using the measured wind data, the 18 MW wind farm comprising thirty 600-k turbines will have net power generation capacity of 31 million kWh per year corresponding to capacity factor of 28 percent. After the payback period, the financial benefits would be extended to the government besides saving its huge amount on purchasing electricity generated through oil, sources said.