President inaugurates first wind power project in Thatha

Jhampir: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday inaugurated the country’s first ever 50MW wind power project terming it an important milestone and landmark achievement in country’s efforts towards finding environmental-friendly, indigenous and low cost energy solutions.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion of inauguration of
wind power project, in Jhampir near Thatta, the President said that
with the commencement of the first ever wind power project, Pakistan
has entered into a new era.

The President termed the commencement as the first concrete step towards tapping country’s vast renewable energy resources.He congratulated the FFC Energy Limited, Ministry of Water and
Power, Governor and the Chief Minister of Sindh, Alternative Energy
Development Board, federal and provincial agencies and all others
who were associated with the setting up of the first wind power
project of the country.

The President remarked that Thatta region was bestowed with immense potential of wind energy.The President said, once Thatta was a hub of civilization, a seat of learning and a centre of art and craft, however, it also remained in oblivion for centuries adding that now Thatta will soon become the Wind Power Center of Pakistan.

The “Baab-ul-Islam”, Sindh (Thatta) will Insha Allah soon
regain its past glory and become power house of development of
Pakistan, he said in his remarks.

The President said that commencement of commercial operation
of FFC Wind Farm was the beginning of exploiting the wind potential
of Gharo-Keti Bandar Wind Corridor.This is an area that has power generation potential of 50,000 MW, he added.

The President said that it was a matter of great satisfaction
to learn that many more wind power projects were in pipeline and
would commence commercial operations soon.

The President said that Pakistan was an energy deficient
country and continued population and economic growth has placed
great demands on energy.He said reversal of previous energy policies, depleting oil and gas reserves and price hike has made the country vulnerable.”We cannot afford inaction as it was not an option,” the
President said.

Complimenting role of the AEDB in the project, the President
said that he looks forward to AEDB’s contributions in other sectors of Renewable Energy as well.

The President said, “We need to have similar successful
projects in producing energy from waste, small hydro and sugar co-
generation.”He said that promotion of alternative modes of energy generation would not only reduce country’s dependence on costly fuel import but would also address many environmental issues caused by burning of the fuel.He also expressed satisfaction that Fauji Fertilizer would be adding 10 MW Solar project to this 50 MW Wind project.

The President said that the launch of the First Wind Farm was
an auspicious occasion which clearly demonstrated the commitment of
the government to address the issue.He said that the Government assumed office in the midst of energy crisis when the people of Pakistan were searching for alternatives.He said that the country has tremendous resources of wind,solar and hydro power. Unfortunately, he said, these resources have not been fully exploited.

The President said that converting potential into actual
energy requires enabling environment, investment and state of the
art technology is need of the hour.He said it requires bankable data, infrastructure, financing,creating incentives to investors and public support.

The President expressed satisfaction that the Government has
proceeded in the right direction and with a strong will to succeed.
On this occasion, the President also recounted various
measures undertaken by the Government in the energy sector which
included addressing policy and technical issues, initiating
supportive measures, developing infrastructure, offering lucrative
incentives, collecting bankable data and creating enabling
environment and investor confidence.He said the government also took measures seeking support of international financial institutions and attracting top manufacturers of the world through a cooperative approach.

While, acknowledging the role of all the partners in efforts to
overcome energy shortage, the President said, the Government
provided a level playing field to all investors, both local as well
as foreigners.He said that the government provided them one window facility through AEDB.

The President invited the local and foreign business community
again to invest in energy sector saying “we offer the best
incentives in the entire region”.He called upon the private entrepreneurs to take great advantage of the incentives being offered by the Government of Pakistan.

Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said
that the President also advised Sindh government to set up an
industrial zone in the area so that the business community could
take advantage of uninterrupted and continued availability of power.
He said that the Government would continue to facilitate the
business community through one-window facility to help them take
maximum advantage of the available business opportunities.

The President, on the occasion, also stressed upon the need to
make appropriate plans and to work keeping in view the future
requirements of the country with an increased population and greater
requirements.