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| September 17, 2003 | Wednesday | Rajab 19, 1424 |
Solar energy project to be launched near capital
ISLAMABAD, Sept 16: The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration on Tuesday decided to launch a project to provide cheap electric power to Alipur Farash, a small village on the outskirts of the capital.
The AEDB chairman, Air Marshal Shahid Hamid (retired), and deputy commissioner Tariq Khan, in an exclusive meeting, decided to give the idea of solar energy a try and turn Alipur Farash in to a ‘model village’ thriving on electricity produced through solar energy.
A team comprising officials of the AEDB and ICT administration will visit the village on Wednesday to make an on- ground assessment.
The AEDB, set up by the prime minister to find alternate means to produce energy for meeting the future needs of the country, has been facing the traditional teething problems as it is still striving to cross the first hurdle of winning the much needed recognition.
The board’s secretary Brig (Dr) Nasim A. Khan said, while the prime minister was keen to encourage efforts for finding new means for generating power, little encouragement was coming from the departments concerned.
“In fact there are times when we feel completely frustrated, but we are determined to continue with our efforts with a futuristic approach for the country,” he added.
Alipur Farash is fast expanding because the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is shifting the illegal settlement of Muslim Colony located close to Bari Imam.
Sources told Dawn that some 100 households had already been shifted from Muslim Colony to Alipur Farash. However, there is no power available, and the Water and Power Development Authority is demanding Rs20 million for laying power lines, they added.
The AEDB chairman said the situation provided an excellent opportunity to put the idea of using solar power to a practical test. “We can turn the whole village into ‘solar village’.
“We have some equipment lying with us that we received in the form of donation and the rest we can provide on subsidised rates.
“We can do the job in half the amount the Wapda is asking for just providing power connections and the residents will not be required to pay the bills for the rest of their lives,” he said.
Dr Nasim Khan said the board could install solar panels on individual households, which could provide enough power for four lights, a geyser and a solar cooker.
The residents will not be required to burn gas for cooking or heating water which will be an added attraction for them, he added.
Tariq Khan also agreed to provide a sizable amount out of the development funds made available to the Islamabad Capital Territory administration for uplift projects and schemes in the area.
“Besides making some of the development funds available for this project, we can also approach MNAs Mian Aslam and Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari to come and join hands with us,” he added.
He said it would be good to take the elected representatives along as their help and support would play a vital role in the success of this ambitious project, Tariq Khan said.
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