The work on 18-MW capacity wind-based power generation plant at Gharo, the first of its kind in the country, has not been initiated so far, Business Recorder learnt here on Tuesday.
The project worth $14.18 million, proposed and supervised by the Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) Sindh, is in doldrums as for the last one year no progress has been made to initiate the construction work, sources said.
The upfront tariff for the plant's generated energy had been finalised by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) few months back. But, the contract-awarded company is still reluctant to initiate the construction work at the proposed site, near Gharo, due to unknown reasons, said an official. The official claimed that the payback period of the total investment to be made on the project was estimated at around seven-eight years. But, the unnecessary delay in the process might harm the whole investment and the preparations made for the project till date, he maintained.
It is worth mentioning here that the power generated through wind turbines would cost Rs 2.5 to 3 per kWh, sources said and termed it very cheap and an easy way towards generating electricity through alternative means. Sources said that Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had prepared the feasibility report for the installation of wind power plants a year back and Gharo was suggested as the best place for setting up of these plants.
The feasibility report of the project was based upon the Wind Power Potential Survey that was conducted last year by the PMD along the coastal areas of the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Technology, sources added.
The study enabled the experts of AEDB to identify the potential areas where economically feasible wind farms could be established to generate power, they said adding that Gharo town and its vicinities were found to be one of the most suitable places for the purpose in the province.
The 18-MW capacity wind farm that will comprise of thirty 600-k turbines is stated to have net power generation capacity of 31 million kWh per year, officials maintained. They said that the financial benefits of the project, after its payback period, could be extended to the government besides saving huge amount being spent on electricity generation through furnace oil and other natural resources.