ISLAMABAD: The government is going to initiate the world’s largest solar power project of 900MW in Quaid-i-Azam Solar Power Park in Bahawalpur as a $1.5 billion worth contract has been handed over to a Chinese company.
Zonergy Company Ltd President Yu Yong told media that his company had a total portfolio of 1,200MW of solar plants in China and the largest one was 170MW plant in Xinjiang. He said the company had an association of over 17 years with Pakistan. Previously, it had been engaged in telecommunication sector through another company ZTE since 1998.
Yong said that there was a need to address concerns regarding Pakistan’s national grid’s conversion system to accommodate fluctuating renewable energy sources.
Zonergy Director Najeed Sadiq said that the first 50MW unit would be brought into production on Aug 14 this year, to be followed by another 250MW on Dec 25, to coincide with the anniversary of the father of the nation, and then 100MW would be added every month. He said the full 900MW capacity would be available by the end of next year.
Around 1.271bn KWh of electricity is expected to be generated annually from the solar power station, which would cover a total area of 4,500 acres. It is also expected to create at least 3,300 jobs.
