KARACHI
Sindh Chief Minister has said that the investment of $4 billion in the energy sector to produce 2040MW solar and wind power would bring a revolution in the country.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah was addressing the land allotment ceremony in which 33 power companies were given allotment orders here at the CM House Saturday. The ceremony was attended by Senior Minister for Finance & Energy Syed Murad Ali Shah, Advisor for Information Maula Bux Chandio, Principal Secretary to CM Allamuddin Bullo, Secretary Energy Agha Wasif and representatives of national and international power companies.
The chief minister said that it was a national cause. “Our country is facing shortage of energy, therefore to reduce the burden of the federal government we have worked out solar and wind power projects for which 33 companies have been involved,” he said and added that the power produced from these projects will be supplied to the national grid.
The chief minister said that the government was taking revolutionary measures for promotion of energy sector, especially in wind, solar and coal projects. Energy is key driving force for economic growth and backbone of national economy. He congratulated 33 companies which were given the land and expressed hope that they would work hard to produce power within shortest possible time.
He said the government is giving top priority for the development of these projects and the allotment of 18,251-acre land in Thatta, Jamshoro, Sukkur and Shaheed Benazirabad districts is a part of this serious and sincere effort.
The chief minister also appreciated the untiring efforts of Senior Minister for Finance & Energy Syed Murad Ali Shah, Secretary Energy Agha Wasif and their team for making it possible.
The chief minister handed over the land allotment orders for 33 wind and solar power projects belonging to various national and international companies for the development of 2040 MW wind /solar projects in the province.
It may be noted that out of 33 projects, 20 wind and solar projects would be installed in Jhimpir, district Thatta, seven in Jamshoro district and other in Sukkur and Benazirabad districts. Apart from it, 18 projects are of wind power and 15 of solar energy.
Senior Minister for Energy Syed Murad Ali Shah thanked the investors for their confidence in Sindh government policies and called it a beginning of a new era in the energy sector with an investment of $4 billion.
He also criticized the federal government policy of banning the wind, solar energy projects and urged the centre to follow the policies of Sindh government to ensure energy security.
He praised the team work of Energy Department and Board of Revenue. He termed Sindh as the energy hub of Pakistan and aimed at eliminating the energy crisis within shortest possible time.
The president of Pakistan Wind Energy Association, Danish Iqbal also appreciated the role of Sindh government in developing the new energy projects.