Pakistan is expected to see a huge jump in wind energy installed capacity over the next two years as 21 projects are lined up for commissioning.
Government officials in Pakistan has told local media that almost two dozen wind energy projects are currently at various stages of development and 1,012 MW capacity is expected to be added to the grid by 2018.
All these projects are being developed in the eastern province of Sindh which shares international border with the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. These states have some of the largest installed wind energy capacities among all Indian states.
A number of foreign companies are planning these projects, including China Three Gorges Corporation, China Sunec Energy, and Tricon Boston Consulting Corporation. Nine projects with cumulative capacity of 479 MW have already achieved financial closure and are currently under construction. Six projects with 308 MW capacity are already operational.
The Sindh government has taken several measures to promote renewable energy sector. Last year, it approved allocation of 15,089 acres of land to set up 21 solar and wind energy projects, amounting to a total installed capacity of 1,880 MW. The government will also allocate an additional 6,622 acres land for 12 more renewable energy projects later.
Several European and Chinese companies have already invested in Pakistan’s renewable energy market. Foreign investors poured over $3 billion into the renewable energy sector in Pakistan over the last year.
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