The Federal Minister for Water and Power, Liquat Ali Jatio on Wednesday directed Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) for early completion of two wind power plants being set up to generate 100 MW electricity.
Chairing the first meeting of AEDB after it was given under the administrative control of ministry, the minister underlined the need for accelerating progress on the ongoing projects. The meeting was convened to review the ongoing progress of the projects to generate alternate energy through wind power.
He underlined the need for developing alternate sources of energy to meet the growing demand of power in addition to conventional methods.
Jatoi stressed the need to remove all bottlenecks to attract the foreign investors to enable them make investment in power sector. He also gave the insight of government's policy for development of renewable resources and assured the AEDB of full support.
The minister directed all stakeholders to come forward with concrete and co-ordinated efforts to achieve positive results with the efficient and effective implementation of the directives of President and Prime Minister for providing cheap electricity to villages on top priority basis. He stressed the need to prioritise electrification of remote villages through wind and solar generating projects.
In a detailed presentation, the Chairman, AEDB Air Marshal Shahid Hamid (retd) briefed the meeting about the organisational structure, functions and present status of various initiatives taken by them. He also apprised the meeting about the progress including identification of wind sites, pre-feasibility studies made so by the AEDB.
He said the land has been acquired for setting up100 MW wind generating project in Gharoof, Sindh. Chairman AEDB apprised the meeting of a comprehensive plan prepared to provide electricity in the remote villages of Sindh and Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power, Advisor, M/O Water and Power, Member (Power), Wapda, and senior officials of NTDC.