There are opportunities to set up desalination plants by utilising solar energy to bring a vast area of barren land under cultivation. Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternate Energy, Askari Taqvi stated this. He was talking to Nadir Abdul Latif, head of a Dubai-based company Avxiel in his office here on Tuesday.
The Minister pointed out that thousands of acres of land around Super Highway cannot be brought under cultivation owing to non-availability of water. If the solar-energy desalination plants be installed then these lands can be cultivation. Askari Taqvi said that this technology is being utilised all over the world and there is need that steps be also taken in Pakistan to introduce it in this respect.
Nadir Abdul Latif gave a suggestion for installing 50 megawatts solar energy plant in vicinity of Karachi. The Minister appreciated the suggestion to this effect and assured him of all possible assistance. He said that the government would fully encourage the foreign investment in the country.