KARACHI: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has granted generation license to Kuwait-based Enertech Quetta Solar Private Limited for its proposed 50 megawatt solar power generation plant in Balochistan with an estimated cost of $50 million.

In order to tap the huge indigenous potential of the province for power generation, the Government of Balochistan formulated a power policy titled Balochistan Power Generation Policy 2007.

In this regard, GoB has issued Letter of Intent (Lol) to different project developers and entrepreneurs for setting up solar power projects. One such Lol was issued to Enertech Holding Company Limited of Kuwait under the Balochistan Power Policy. The Lol envisaged setting up a 50 MW solar based electricity generation facility in the Bostan region of district Pishin, in the province of Balochistan.

Authority considers that the proposed project will result in optimum utilization of the renewable energy of the province of Balochistan which is untapped, resulting in pollution free electric power.

It is pertinent to mention that solar is an indigenous renewable energy resource and such resources should have a preference for the energy security. There is a global trend of reduction in the prices of PV Cells which results in lower tariffs as is evident from various determinations of the NEPRA.

These lower tariffs will result in reduction of the overall basket price which will be beneficial to the public at large.

In its determination, NEPRA opined that there is a worldwide trend to increase the share of RE in the energy mix of any country and it is very likely that the Govt. of Pakistan will also be considering to increase the share of RE substantially in the coming years.

Pakistan’s huge energy crisis is jeopardising its economic progress and social development. The major reasons for the energy crisis are lack of investment in power sector in the past, non-development of renewable energy sector, and the depleting hydrocarbon reserves.

Government of Pakistan has tasked the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) to ensure 5.0 percent of total national power generation capacity to be generated through renewable energy technologies by the year 2030.

Analysts believe it is imperative for Pakistan to look for indigenous and cheap energy resources for sustainable growth through self-reliance.