The Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Shareef has started consultations to restart and initiate the solar and wind power projects that had been stalled due to various technical and non technical reasons. The category -III wind and solar PV projects are being considered for a major revival by the federal government after being highlighted by the provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan.
PM Shehbaz Shareef, in this regard, has constituted a committee including Minister for Defence (Convener), Minister for Power, Minister for Commerce, Minister Human Rights, and Minister for Narcotics Control, Minister for Communication and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Establishment.
The committee will be working on analyzing the further steps required to re- initiate the projects and the issues that have been coming in the way of the process. AEDB has also been directed by the federal government to arrange and conduct the bidding processes among the LOI holders for the said projects. These Category III projects are to be proceeded based on the following points under consideration, (i) the quantum ascertained by Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP); and (ii) confirmation of Interconnection Ready Zones (IRZs) by NTDCL.
As stated by Shah Jahan Mirza, CEO AEDB, the projects under consideration include 31 wind energy plants with a total capacity of 2139 MW and 69 solar PV projects with a total capacity of 4193 MW. According to the provincial energy departments, 22 wind power projects and 27 solar power projects are said to fall under the category of immediate follow through as the projects require valid LOIs and need to fall under IRZa provided by NTDC.
