ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian government for an investment in solar power projects up to 1000 megawatts for providing cheaper and uninterrupted power supply to 17 industrial zones in the province.

The project will begin with a 50MW solar power project in the first phase using photovoltaic panels in the Hattar Special Economic Zone.

The MoU was signed between the KP industries, commerce and technical education department with the official international contracting agency of the government of Canada, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC).

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, Canadian high commissioner Perry John Calderwood, chief secretary Abid Saeed, industries secretary Farha Hamid, KP Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) chairman Ghulam Dastagir and CEO Mohsin Syed along with CCC representatives were present in the MoU signing ceremony here at the Pakhtunkhwa House.

KPEZDMC CEO Mohsin Syed later told Dawn that the KP industrial zone would be the first one in Pakistan, which would get exclusively off grade solar power.

Proposed projects to ensure smooth electricity supply to 17 industrial zones

He said as a result of the off-grade solar power, the price would be lesser for industries in the zones in question.

“We will bring the first phase of the project on ground in the next six months,” he said, adding that the remaining 950MW will be provided to the 16 other industrial zones of the province.

The uninterrupted electric supply is likely to lure more investments in the industrial zones of the province, which currently lack the attraction for investors.

At the movement, KP receives around 2000MW electricity from the national grid against the demand of 3000MW. After the installation of 1000MW Canadian solar power project, the loadshedding in the province is expected to end by 2018.

The proposed investment from Canada in solar panel power project will also balance the Chinese investment in the province.

According to the relevant officials, the MoU is a milestone for the government of KP as for the first time a Canadian government-backed company is investing CAD 100 million in the province.

This will lead the way for other countries other than China to invest in KP.

According to an official statement, Hattar Special Economic Zone will have 50MW electricity in the first phase with additional 225MW of captive power in the second.

The MoU will be instrumental in providing much-needed energy requirements to industrialists in Hattar Special Economic Zone.

“This will boost investor confidence and make KP desired location for investment,” added the statement.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Pervez Khattak said his government had done everything to promote investment in the province and creating jobs and thus, reducing terrorist activities in the province.

“This MoU is a testament of our progressive approach and will go a long way in the development of KP,” he said.

Canadian high commissioner Perry John Calderwood said the MoU signed by KP and Canadian government was a reflection of undeterred resolve of both the governments to join hands in energy, trade and commerce sectors to bring prosperity to the province.

The CCC is the official international contracting agency of the government of Canada.

It is responsible for facilitating trade between Canada and other countries.

It works with foreign governments and Canadian suppliers to facilitate mutually acceptable commercial solutions to all participants.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2017