With a view to overcome electricity shortage, the Sindh government has planned to initiate small hydel power projects with capacity of 7 mw to 15 mw on Indus River, through public-private partnership (PPP), official sources told Business Recorder. In this connection, Sindh Power Department has decided to commission 'Earnest and Young', a private firm, to prepare feasibility reports of 6 small hydel power plants on run-of-the-river.
The Power Department, a few days back, forwarded a summary in this regard to Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah for approval. After approval, 'Earnest and Young' would start its work, and it will have to complete the work within 8 months, sources added. According to sources, Earnest and Young has to conduct survey on the Indus River and to identify 6 top sites for installation of hydel power projects. Experts of said firm would ascertain the quality of water and sand and availability of water on different sites of Indus River. The mandate of the firm is also to find out and resolve legal implications regarding the installation of hydel power projects, sources said.
The firm will have to select machinery which would be used on identified sites and it will also conduct environmental survey in this regard, sources added. After completion of above mentioned major tasks, Earnest and Young would start its work to attract investors in this regard.
According to experts, there are many sites on Indus River, which have the potential to generate 8 mw to 15 mw electricity through hydel plants. Sources said that if Sindh government would accelerate its work in this regard, it could control persistent load shedding schedule, which is causing numerous troubles.
When contacted, Secretary, Power, Rabia Javeria Agha told Business Recorder that accelerated development of energy resources is one of the top priorities of Sindh government as the ever-mounting electricity shortages are major bottleneck, hindering growth of provincial economy.
She said that there is a big space in hydro generation field so that Power Department is trying to fill this gape with collaboration of private sector. It is pertinent to mention here that the duration of load-shedding is widening day by day in all districts of Sindh including Karachi. As a result, Sindh is facing huge economical losses.