The much-talked about Pakistan Solar Park's electricity will reportedly cost the consumers Rs 21 per unit, more expensive than the electricity being generated through furnace oil. However, some power sector experts maintain that per unit price of solar power will not be less than Rs 32 per unit, pleading that the average availability will not be more than 18 per cent. Others maintain average availability will be 23.5 per cent.
Background interviews with power sector experts reveal that 100MW project of 1000MW solar Power Park's average availability factor will be within the range of 16 to 17 or 18 percent because of Chinese technology which implies the average generation from 1000 MW solar park will not be more than 180MW. The other view is 1000MW plant will provide 230MW. The plant will give 20MW at 7am, 100MW at 1 pm, 80MW at 4:30 pm and 20MW at sunset.
However, independent exports believe that the average availability factor of the solar park will be twenty per cent plus. Solar Park's per unit cost consists of capacity payment and energy charges. According to power sector experts, solar system across the globe is set up off grid whereas in Bahawalpur project it is on grid which is the main reason for the lower output.
Power sector experts had informed Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif in early days of the project that output of 1000MW solar panel project will be less than 180 MW. However, Mian Shahbaz Sharif gave a shut up call to critics. Electricity that would be produced from the solar park will be made part of basket which includes hydel, furnace oil and diesel fired power plants, wind etc and import from Iran.