Wind power ‘has potential to generate 31,500MW electricity’

[Naveed Yaseen]

Managing Director Energy Management Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Thair Bashir Cheema has said that wind power has potential to generate 31,500MW electricity in the country.

Talking to PTV, he said coastal areas of Balochistan and Sindh are the suitable places for installing the wind power projects there. He said Wapda also plans to start wind power projects in some place of Pothar region in near future.

Cheema said it is government’s target to generate 5000MW electricity through wind power energy in next 10 years. Besides, other power generation sources will also be used for the generation of cheaper electricity, he added.

He recalled that prime minister inaugurated the 50 MW Zorlu Energy Wind Power Project a few days back. To a question, he said, the government had created an alternative energy fund for successful implementation of alternative energy technologies in the country.

He said the alternative energy fund would be utilised partially for financing economically viable projects, which require financial support to become viable and for the much-needed capacity building renewable energy sector.

To a question he said loadshedding in most parts of the country has ended. However, he said, loadshedding still persists in some villages.

He said power deficiency has decreased to 600MW and power supply situation is improving. Two new power plants will be added in the system by the end of current moth while two electricity plants will start functioning by the end of next month.

Thair Cheema said situation will remain the same till 20 May as enough electricity is available in the system to meet the demand.

However, he urged the consumer not to use electricity unnecessarily. He advised the consumer to set their air-conditioner at 26 centigrade and switch off unnecessary lights.

The DG said ‘Time of use Tariff’ has also been introduced for peak hours. He informed that tariff of electricity during peak time will be high as compared to routine time in the “Time of use tariff”.

He said special meters have been ordered for this purpose. The meter will be soon installed for double phase users, informed.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=174560