July 23, 2007	Monday	Rajab 07, 1428

RAWALPINDI, July 22: The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) plans to design water supply schemes in over 200 villages in Sindh and Balochistan under the framework of solar electrification of remote villages. Work on the project is expected to start in early 2008.

The board is set to launch the project’s feasibility study. It is envisaged that if the study finds the project viable, the board would hold talks with local communities to identify their water needs and design a more participatory water supply system.

The villages selected for the feasibility study in Balochistan include south-western areas of Zhob, north-western areas of Qilla Saifullah, southern area of Loralai, south-eastern areas of Musakhel, central Bolan, Lasbela, Kalat, Noshki, Awaran, Qilla Abdullah and Chaghi. Nearly 150 villages selected in Sindh were in talukas of Chachro, Diplo, Nagarparkar and Mithi in Tharparkar district.

The minimum quantity of water to be provided is 25 litres per person per day (a reserve of 50 per cent of the total volume has to be catered for population growth). The quality of water would have to fulfill WHO requirements and Pakistani Standards. All houses shall be at most half a kilometre from the closest water point.

The project titled ‘Sustainable Development of Utility Scale Wind Power Production’ is being initiated in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project’s first phase aims to create an enabling environment for the development of commercial scale wind energy projects.

The project is being funded by Global Environment Facility. AEDB will act as an executing agency.