Nov 20 2010
Pakistan and United States have entered into an accord to install a 150 MW wind power production project at a cost of $375 million. The accord was contracted by Javed Iqbal, Secretary, Water and Power, Pakistan and Richard Holbrooke, Special Envoy for Afghanistan, from USA in the presence of Cameron Munter, US ambassador to Pakistan, Arif Aluddin, chairman Alternative Energy Development Board, Andrew Sisson, Director, USAID, and other representatives.
The 150 MW wind power generation projects will be set in three locations in the Gharo corridor in Pakistan. The first of its type in private and government partnership is aimed at improving and meeting the energy needs of Pakistan. The project when completed will allow the country to save over $45 million spent on fossil fuel imports and reduce its reliance on fossil fuel. The project when completed will meet the power requirements of over 600,000 homes in the near by locations.
The accord is signed at the initiative of Hillary Clinton, US Secretary. Holbrooke, one of the signatories of the accord, said that the ecological friendly project will enable Pakistan to save millions of dollars currently spent on fossil fuel import. He added that the renewable energy project has the potential to attract more private investments in future and will persuade the international community to invest in such type of energy projects in Pakistan.
Javed Iqbal, Water and Power Secretary of Pakistan, appreciated the efforts of Holbrooke and the contribution of the US government towards the project and added that the project will improve the relations between the two governments.
Source: Ministry of Energy, Power Division, Pakistan