KARACHI
Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmad Sheikh has said that 33 projects in the air corridor of Jhampir and Gharo in Sindh are providing 1835 megawatts of environment-friendly and green energy from wind.
He said this on Monday while speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of the inauguration of Goldwind Solution Factory at a local hotel in Karachi. Consul General of China Mr. Yang Guanguan, Director Goldwind Solution Mr. Yang Jainyong, former Vice Chancellor of Mehran University Aslam Aqeeli.
NED University Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Tahir and others were present on the occasion. Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh said: “I am very happy to inaugurate this wonderful session on technical solutions in wind turbine technology by Goldwind China in Pakistan, in which all stakeholders including wind IPPs and especially representatives from various engineering universities are present,” he said.
Imtiaz Shaikh said that energy is the lifeline of the economy and it has a direct impact on socio-economic development. He said that the Sindh Energy Department was established in 2013 and the provincial government has achieved great achievements to overcome the ongoing energy crisis in the country in the past 10 years. “Prolonged efforts to develop Thar coal have paid off and today three projects of about 2 GW are operational and some projects are in the pipeline,” he added.
The energy minister said that the Sindh government is strongly encouraging environment-friendly and green energy projects and added “we want them to work quickly towards their own and environment-friendly sources of energy”. He said that around 477 wind turbines are being installed by Goldwind on eight wind IPPs which is encouraging. He said that there is a huge market for wind power, we are further developing wind, solar hybrid projects.
Imtiaz Shaikh said that the proposed solution factory with in-country spare parts and operation and maintenance facility will not only reduce operational costs of wind projects but also provide an opportunity for local technology transfer. He said that the establishment of Goldwind Turbine Solution Factory is another step towards success.
He said that according to a report, the population of the country will increase by 30 per cent by 2050, which will require 60 per cent more energy and 60 per cent more food. “Resources are limited, we need technology and innovation to meet future needs while protecting the environment,” he added.
The energy minister said that climate change in the form of 2022 floods has further increased the importance of green energy development as the only solution to combat natural calamities. He said that by having this type of solution factory, not only the cost of the projects will be reduced but also more employment opportunities will be created for the local people. “This process will provide an opportunity to engage experts, graduates and faculty as well as contribute to the economic development of the wind energy sector,” he added.
The energy minister said that the import of machinery and equipment has burdened the national exchequer as technology and machinery are being imported for all projects in the energy sector. Goldwind Solution Center is an excellent facility that brings the ability to repair wind turbine spare parts and equipment in Pakistan with its own local talent in Pakistan.
This service will undoubtedly benefit the IPPs in reducing their cost of materials and equipment and also reduce the dependence on imports and in turn reduce the economic burden on us.
Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh said that a dynamic academy, strong government support and industry linkages are the keys to success in achieving sustainable development goals. He said that the presence of high-level delegations from NED University, Mehran University, Karachi University and other educational institutions has further strengthened my confidence and I am confident that they will benefit from Goldwind’s skilled professional team and receive training through mutual coordination, including internships, and further improve the quality of research and smart innovations in green energy technologies.
Meanwhile, Imtiaz Sheikh while talking to the media said that the gas crisis has intensified in the country, especially in Sindh, we will continue to raise our voice regarding the gas crisis. He hoped that the Prime Minister will take notice of this. “The highest gas production in the country is in Sindh, yet we are not getting gas as per requirement,” he deplored and said that the provincial government has registered its strong protest before the federal government. To a question, he said that Nooriabad Power Plant produces the cheapest electricity.
