ISLAMABAD The government has installed the country`s first ever 1.2 megawatts (MW) wind turbines for commercial power generation in Jhimpir district Thatta (Sindh).

The initiative comes as part of the effort for tapping renewable energy sources to overcome the crippling power cuts.  

The power generated from the first phase of the farm would be enough to electrify 60,000 homes in the Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company region. The successful installation of the turbines would be the first attempt as part of the establishment of the country`s first wind farm.

The turbines have been installed in the first phase and will generate 6 MW with the help of 5 units, which are all in advanced stages of installation. The farm is being set up by Zorlu Enerji and will later be expanded in the second phase to generate 50 MW of electricity.

An official statement said the cost of power generation from the project would be comparable to that of KANUPP nuclear power plant.

Chief Executive Officer of the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Arif Alauding said that seeing the 67 meter-tall turbines shooting up from the plains of district Thatta `makes my heart beat a little faster.`

He added that he sees wind development as a way to contribute towards national efforts to reduce dependence on foreign fossil fuel. He considered the development as a big boost for Pakistan `s renewable energy sector.

`I believe that this step towards adoption of wind power for meeting our growing energy needs sends out a strong signal about the importance of renewable for increasing the security of energy supply`, Mr Alauddin added.