Pakistan has been suffering from
an energy shortage for the last two decades. With a steadily growing population
and increased economic activity, the demand for energy has been rising and the
generated supply has not been able to keep up with the rapid rising demand.
Despite policy efforts and development plans, the gap between supply and demand
remains in the range of 4000 MW on average, leading to 6-8 hours of load
shedding on a daily basis, leaving businesses and homes in the dark. Business,
small and large alike have been forced to suspend operations or incur higher
costs by employing expensive diesel run generators as back up during load
shedding hours.
Pakistan is blessed with an
abundance of solar energy and is one of the few regions having on the average
300+ days per annum of sunshine and is considered best solar zone of the world.
This gift of God in the shape of solar irradiance has been here since eternity
but God has given us the opportunity to harness the same.
In the year 2013, The Government
of Punjab, under the vision of Chief Minister Mian M. Shahbaz Sharif, dedicated
10,000 acres of land in Cholistan, near Bahawalpur City, Pakistan, for the
purpose of establishing a 1000 MW Solar Park for generation of electricity.
This Solar Park is an initiative of Government of the Punjab (GoPb), Pakistan
to reduce reliance on fossil fuels in generation of electricity and to overcome
the ever expanding gap between energy production and demand. 500 acres of land
was allocated to set up the first pilot project.
The Government of the Punjab
launched Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power (Pvt.) Ltd to install the first 100 MW PV
Plant and act as a role model for the investors in the field of renewable
energy and provide an impetus to the aspiring national and international IPPs
to follow in the footsteps of QA Solar.
The site allocated is complete
with interconnection facilities, access roads, water connection and a clean
title to deeds. The EPC contract was awarded to TBEA Xinjiang SunOasis Co. Ltd,
a renowned company from China. The Groundbreaking Ceremony of the first ever
100 MW solar PV plant in Cholistan desert near Bahawalpur was held on May 9th,
2014. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, accompanied by Shahbaz
Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab, unveiled the plaque to establish the foundation
of the plant. His Excellency, Mr. Sun Weidong, the ambassador of China to
Pakistan, was also present at the venue.
Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power (Pvt.)
Ltd has been able to achieve the landmark of launching Solar PV Plant from
scratch with the assistance of top notch international consultants and EPC
Contractor. Faced by a highly aggressive and challenging timeline, especially
the mobilization and deployment of hundreds of foreign consultants/ contractors
in a remote area, QA Solarwas fully confident to meet all challenges and
achieve the targets on schedule.
In a record span of time,
Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power has installed the first ever utility scale,
photovoltaic, ground mounted and fixed tilted power plant in Pakistan. Compared
to other power generation plants, this power plant will be a source of clean
and renewable energy and on the basis of reduction in greenhouse gases
emissions; this project has the capability of qualifying for clean development
mechanism. In addition to lowering GHG emissions, solar power plant will also
lead to reduction in other various atmospheric pollutants, that are discharged
in coal powered plants, such as mercury, Sulphur dioxide etc.
The solar park initiative, it is
hoped, will bring not only economic activity, but will also provide jobs and a
unique set of skills to the inhabitants of the area. This project aims to mark
the beginning of the Province's journey towards generation of renewable energy
and a cleaner and greener future and pave way for others to join in the mission
of fulfilling the country's energy needs for a better world.
On First 100 MW Solar Plant., a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.8- denomination is being issued by Pakistan Post on May 4, 2015.
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