Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KARACHI139
2009-04-24 04:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Karachi
Cable title:  

SINDH - PAKISTAN INNAUGURATES FIRST WIND FARM

Tags:  ENRG EINV PGOV ECON PK 
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VZCZCXRO7874
RR RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHKP #0139 1140448
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240448Z APR 09
FM AMCONSUL KARACHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1045
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0502
INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0274
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1864
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0089
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 2723
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4606
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS KARACHI 000139 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EINV PGOV ECON PK
SUBJECT: SINDH - PAKISTAN INNAUGURATES FIRST WIND FARM

SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS KARACHI 000139

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EINV PGOV ECON PK
SUBJECT: SINDH - PAKISTAN INNAUGURATES FIRST WIND FARM

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (SBU) On April 19, Prime Minister Gilani officially inaugurated
the Zorlu Wind Power Project, Pakistan's first wind farm. Located
in Jhimpir, Sindh this commercial project is currently capable of
generating 4.8 megawatts (MW) of power, but is expected to generate
300 MW by the end of 2010. End Summary.

Winds of Change
--------------

2. (SBU) At a "Winds of Change" themed event, attended by Prime
Minister Gilani, Sindh Governor Ibad, Sindh Chief Minister Shah,
Federal Minister for Water and Power Ashraf, Federal Water and
Power Secretary Rafi, diplomats, members of the National Assembly,
members of the Provincial Assembly, and businessmen, Pakistan
inaugurated its first wind power plant, on April 19. Located in
Jhimpir, Thatta, Sindh, approximately 100 km (62 miles) northeast of
Karachi, this commercial wind farm was hailed as a "giant leap" for
Pakistan.


3. (U) The Zorlu Wind Power Project is on a site designed by
German engineers in the Ghoro-Keti Bandar Wind Corridor. The wind
corridor is 60 km wide and 170 km deep, and is believed to be
capable of producing 50,000 MW of electricity. This project is the
first of several planned in the area. During his address, Prime
Minister Gilani announced that there are 24 other wind projects in
various stages of development throughout Pakistan that will add 1200
MW of power.


4. (SBU) Turkish company, Zorlu Enerji, obtained the lease from
the Government of Pakistan (GOP) to build and operate the plant for
20 years. The company's business plan is to recover development and
construction costs within the first 10 years. The site manager told
EconOff that Zorlu Enerji invested USD 100 million into the site.
It took two years to build the first four wind turbines because of
bureaucratic delays, according to the Pakistan Administration
Manager for Zorlu Enerji. Zorlu plans to add 30 wind turbines in
the next four months, which will increase the generating capability
to 50 MW. By the end of 2010, Zorlu plans to generate 300MW.


5. (SBU) The first 6 MW of capacity is contracted to the Hyderabad
Electrical Supply Company (HESCO). (Note: The fifth wind turbine
will soon be operational. Once it is, the site will generate 6 MW.
End note.) The project is expected to provide enough electricity
for 6,900 to 7,400 homes and the initial tariff is set at USD
12.1057 cents per Kilowatt hour. While this rate is cheaper than
electricity produced by oil powered plants, it is more expensive
than electricity from hydroelectric or nuclear power plants. The
head of the Karachi office of the Alternative Energy Development
Board told Post, however, that Zorlu is expected to appeal to the
government regulator for a rate increase of three or four cents,
which will make the tariff on par with oil powered plants.
Indications are that the tariff will decrease once Zorlu recovers
its development costs in 10 years. The plant is expected to displace
10,500 tons of carbon dioxide each year.


6. (SBU) Prime Minister Gilani declared that this project
represented a "new era" for Pakistan. He praised the wind farm as a
source of "green, economical, and indigenous power". He explained
that the development of alternative energy is important for
Pakistan's energy security, as it will enable the country to reduce
its dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce pollution. During
the event, Prime Minister Gilani also announced an Alternative
Energy Fund to help finance similar projects and to build capacity.
This fund will fall under the purview of the Alternative Energy
Development Board. Prime Minister Gilani also reaffirmed the GOP's
goal of adding enough power capacity to stop load-shedding by the
end of the current year.

Comment
--------------

7. (SBU) This event received wide media coverage and is viewed by
many government and business officials as an important step in
Pakistan's development of alternative energy. The timetable for the
planned expansion seems ambitious, but appears to receive high-level
government support. The new few months and years will determine if
Pakistan is able to expand its use of wind power, and foster a
greater commitment and investment in alternative energy. End
comment.