The Punjab government and an international company of Denmark signed an agreement of co-operation regarding projects of wind technology here on Thursday. On behalf of Punjab government, Additional Secretary Energy Department Khalid Awais Raja signed the agreement, while Vice President of the Danish company VESTAS Gerard Carew signed on behalf of Denmark. Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Ambassador of Denmark Jespar Moller Sorensen were present on the occasion.
The Ambassador pointed out that a great deal of potential exists for generating over 1000 megawatts of electricity from wind in the north and south of Punjab. Wind technology potential in Punjab is greater than in Sindh area of Jampir. According to the agreement, four pilot projects pertaining to wind power would be developed by the Danish company for which Punjab government would provide all possible facilities. Each pilot project has the potential of generating up to 250 megawatt electricity. Development work at four potential locations for wind technology would expeditiously be completed on war-footing.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Punjab said that Denmark is a great friend of Pakistan and has helped in locating various areas of Punjab for wind power projects to deal with energy crisis for which Punjab government was grateful to the government of Denmark and the Danish Ambassador.
He said Denmark is a global leader in wind energy and meets a large percentage of energy needs of its own country through wind power. Punjab would vigorously benefit from the expertise and co-operation of Denmark in wind technology to deal with its energy crisis.
He further said the Danish Ambassador took personal interest in promotion of wind energy in Punjab and thanked him for his deep interest in mapping locations in Punjab suitable for generating electricity through wind technology. He said these projects would be completed expeditiously and in a transparent manner with the co-operation of Denmark which will prove to be a milestone in overcoming the energy crisis in the province.
The CM directed formulation of Punjab Wind Power Company and said that a Quaid-e-Azam Wind Power Park would be established on the pattern of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park. Addressing on the ceremony the Danish Ambassador said that Denmark would provide all possible co-operation to Pakistan to deal with its energy crisis. He said installation of wind technology in Punjab would help a great deal in overcoming energy crisis in Pakistan. The process of locating appropriate places for wind technology has been completed in various areas of north and south Punjab with the help of latest technology, he added.
Vice President of VESTAS Gerard Carew, reiterated that Denmark has great expertise in renewable energy and 40 percent of energy needs of Denmark are being met through wind technology. He congratulated CM Punjab on this important step and assured that Danish government would continue to provide maximum assistance to Punjab government in overcoming its energy crisis. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Azmul Haq, Chief Secretary Punjab, Secretary Planning & Development, Chairman Punjab Power Development Company, CEO of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and officials of Danish international company VESTAS were also present on the occasion.