US to help build 150MW Pakistani wind projects

Pakistan and United States will complete a wind power generation project in two years at a cost of $375 million. It will be located in three sites at the Gharo Corridor, Thatta, and Sindh near Karachi to utilize the winds of the area for producing 150 megawatts of power.

The main objective of the projects, first of its kind in public and private partnership between the two countries, was to improve the capacity of Pakistan government’s capacity to address the country’s most critical energy needs.

It will also reduce the dependence on imported fuel and oil and will save Pakistan US$45 million per year in fuel cost.
The project using new technology of ‘clear’ power will serve about 600,000 homes in the area.

The agreement was signed by US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke and Pakistan’s Water and Power Secretary Javed Iqbal on behalf of their respective governments.

Richard Holbrooke said it is a best example of private and public partnership between the two countries as Ministry of Water and Power will represent Pakistan while USAID and US Overseas Private Investment Corporation and American Power Company Corporation, a private company are joining hands to address the important problem being faced by the people of Pakistan.