Pakistan, Turkish Company Sign Agreement for Wind Energy

Islamabad, Pakistan | January 20, 2009 by D-8 Secretariat

Turkey and Pakistan cooperates to establish wind farm for power generation in Pakistan

Islamabad—Zorlu Enerji, the first company to establish wind farm for power generation in Pakistan, on Saturday signed Energy Purchase Agreement with Hyderabad Electric Supply Corporation for purchase of 6 MW electricity generated at the company’s facility in Jhimpir. The agreement was signed by Mr. Murat Sungar Bursa, President Zorlu Enerji, on behalf of Zorlu Eneji and Mr. Karim Buksh Qureshi, CEO HESCO representing HESCO. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Chairman AEDB / Minister Water & Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Turkish Ambassador Mr. Engin Soysal.

The signing of Energy Purchase Agreement between the IPP and HESCO took the country further closer to towards exploitation of its vast wind energy resource for meeting its growing energy needs. NEPRA has awarded tariff of US scents 12.1057 per KWh, which is cheaper than the electricity generated from thermal sources. The power generated from the first phase would be evacuated to Jhimphir grid station by HESCO and would be sufficient to electrify 6900 homes in Hyderabad region.

The Zorlu Enerji wind farm would be one of the cleanest power plants in the country displacing 10,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year, as compared to a fossil fuel power plant. Harnessing the strong winds coming from south west, the wind farm is first commercial wind power project of the country, comprising 5 towers in the first phase with an installed capacity of 1.2 MW wind turbine generator per tower. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Minister Water & Power/Chairman AEDB congratulated Mr. Murat Sungar Bursa, Zorlu Enerji President for undertaking the project that supports the government’s derive towards greater exploitation of renewable energy resources. He thanked the Turkish firm for its assistance in helping Pakistan enter the era of wind energy. Mr Ashraf said Pakistan is proud of its friendship with Turkey.

President of Pakistan would perform the inauguration of the land mark project in the first week of Feburary, said Chairman AEDB/ Minister Water & Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf with CEO AEDB and President Zorlu Enerji (Pvt) Ltd., “This project shows the Pakistan government’s persistence at tapping indigenous Renewable Energy sources as a strategy to meet growing energy needs”, said the AEDB chairman/ Minister Water & Power. We need a relentless effort to harness our own energy resources and not be forever held hostage by volatile international oil prices,” he added. “We have brotherly relations with Pakistan and Government has sent us here with a special message to do utmost in increasing trade and commerce. Additionally, we look forward cooperating with Pakistan in defence, agriculture and women empowerment for producing tangible results”, said the Turkish ambassador, Mr. Engin Soysal.

Mr. Arif Alauddin, CEO AEDB said the realization of wind farm represents an important milestone in the country’s strategy to in contribution of Renewable Energy sources. He said more of such good news particularly in the sector of waste to energy and hydro sector were in the pipeline. He thanked the federal government, federal minister for water and power, Sindh government, NTDC, CPPA, NEPRA, HESCO for their help in the setting up of the country’s first wind farm. The project which in subsequent phases would be expanded to a 50 MW wind farm is currently using gearless vensys 62 with 1.2 MW technology. President Zorlu Enerji (Pvt) Ltd., Mr. Murat Sungar Bursa speaking on this occasion said incentives offered by Pakistan ‘s Renewable Energy Policy were a major factor in the company’s decision to invest here.

D-8 countries are rich with natural resources. The growing world economic activity and industrial production in the past four decades has resulted in a significant increase in the demand of minerals globally. In recent years, international increased consumption has further boosted world minerals demand and prices. Thus creating incentives and opportunities for D-8 member countries to commercialize their mineral reserves.

At the 6th Summit of the D-8 in July 2008 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Heads of State/Government of member countries reiterated their commitment to carry on the ideas of economic cooperation among D-8 countries, in all aspects of economic cooperation, including in energy. The Summit also adopted Roadmap of Developing Eight Countries for Economic and Social Cooperation in the Second Decade of Cooperation (2008-2018) which is meant to be the guidance of D-8 cooperation. Strengthened by the adoption of Kuala Lumpur Declaration at the 6th Summit, D-8 countries has reaffirmed their commitment to urgently address the energy issues through collaborative efforts in various areas.

D-8 has held the first D-8 Working Group on Mining and Minerals Meeting theming “A Resonant Minerals Sector for Sustainable Development”, in Bali, Indonesia, earlier in December 2008.

Indonesia recognizes the potential of D-8 countries which have endowed with abundant of various mineral resources, and therefore proposed cooperation in the areas of mining and minerals through a Working Group on Mining and Mineral, which was responded favourably by the member countries at the 4th D-8 working Group on Energy last June in Cairo.

In that first meeting of the WGMM, the objectives drawn particularly is for D-8 to set up its groundwork as the basis for future cooperation through WGMM, such as:

1. To find solution the recent global crisis  situation issue and its impact regarding of mining and mineral industries through dialog and strong relationship among D-8 member country;
2. To exchange views on the latest issues, developments and trends in the fast growing areas of mining and minerals and to seek the possibility of formulating  concrete D-8 cooperation programs through cooperation in industries, investments, trade, technology. And business;
3. To identify potencies, opportunities, challenges, and threats of D-8 in mining and minerals business/industries, as well as to attempt to facilitate the meeting among the stakeholders, such as government/regulators, companies, investors, private sectors and financial institutions/banks;
4. To appoint focal /contact point of the WGMM at respective member countries.

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