KARACHI: Sindh is poised to revolutionize its energy landscape with a comprehensive renewable energy plan, aiming to reduce consumer tariffs and promote clean energy usage. Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah unveiled the plan at a consultative workshop on ‘Solar Wind Hybrid Project B2B Arrangements’, organized by the Sindh Energy Department and Energy Update, according to an official press release.
The plan includes the establishment of solar parks under public-private partnerships, generating renewable electricity to be supplied through the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC). This initiative aligns with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s poll manifesto promise of providing 300 units of free electricity to destitute consumers.
Minister Shah said that the Sindh government will also distribute 200,000 solar home systems to off-grid homes under a World Bank-assisted drive, promoting clean energy usage in the province. Additionally, 500,000 solar panels will be provided to off-grid homes in faraway areas, as part of the new provincial budget plan.
The Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA) is expected to become functional by the end of next month, controlling capacity payments to independent power producers and ensuring consumer tariffs do not increase unduly, he said adding that the provincial government aims to energize 2.6 million off-grid homes using Sindh’s massive renewable power production potential, with the hope of full assistance from federal authorities.
The workshop discussed the proposed B2B arrangement for the upcoming wind-solar hybrid power project under a public-private partnership regime, capable of producing 766 GW of clean energy per year.