KETI Bunder, Gharo corridor and Jhimpir areas have been identified and marked for development of wind turbine power projects in Pakistan to meet the acute shortage of power and move towards environmentally-friendly energy sources as an alternative.

Jhimpir, having the basic infrastructure already available, was picked for the first pilot project of wind turbine power in Pakistan in a joint venture with a Turkish firm M/S Zorlu Energi. The project lies on a link road between our two main highways, i.e. the Super Highway and the National Highway (if they may justifiably be called so).

It is located in one of the best natural wind corridors, and has a main line railway station and a fresh water lake nearby. Besides, the Nooriabad industrial area is at a distance of 20 miles which can utilise the power generated. It already has a functional and under-utilised 132 KVA power grid station.

The majority of the land earmarked for the project is barren, non-cultivable government land which is ideally suited for such long-term development projects.

The Zorlu Energi Pilot Project of six megawatts consists of 5x1.2 MW wind turbines with German technology. Work commenced in late 2007 and four wind turbines were installed by the end of 2008. The fifth turbine, whose foundation was reported to be partially damaged during transportation, could not be installed in time. Apparently for this reason the inauguration of the project was delayed several times. It was finally inaugurated by our prime minister with massive coverage in Dawn and the electronic media in April this year.

However, it is rather disappointing to note that the above project, which did supply some power (from one turbine only) to the adjoining areas for some time, with the 5th turbine already installed, is still not fully operational for unknown reasons. Up to now only one wind turbine, which was switched on by the prime minister at its inauguration, has been observed to be working.

It is also contrary to the claims of minister for power, who was present at the inauguration, and who several weeks later (as far as I can remember on May 9), replying to a question at a press conference on the future of wind turbine power in Pakistan, said “Six megawatts tau hum already HESCO ko de rahe hain”.

There is no wind turbine having a capacity of 6 MW. In fact, the largest we have ordered has a capacity of 1.5 MW only.

Our Turkish friends, M/S Zorlu Energi and its local General Manager Mumtaz Hassan, must, however, be given due credit for their commitment to continue and complete the project despite the hostile local environment prevailing since the initial presentation on the subject held in Jhimpir on Jan 20, 2009 which was presided over by the Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy Askari Taqvi.

Let us hope and pray that the future of wind turbine power projects in Pakistan would not turn out to be like that of Thar or Lakhra Coal Power Projects, which have been launched but still awaiting take-off.

IJTABA ZAIDI

Karachi