China pledges US$6 billion for Pakistan’s renewable energy sector

Will help Pakistan deal with a stubborn energy crisis.

China has agreed to invest the amount in Pakistan’s energy sector during the next five years. Last week, China showcased its projects aimed at generating enough renewable power from water, solar and wind sources to generate additional electric power.

Last January, construction began on a 50 MW first wind farm. All civil works and 50% of wind turbine installation is to be completed by the end of this year. The project will enter commercial operation in June 2014.

Construction of the 720 MW Karot hydropower project at has been approved by the Pakistani government with project construction to begin in late 2014. The construction period is estimated at five years.

Building the 1,100 MW Kohala hydropower project is at the first stage. Land acquisition and site preparation are scheduled for 2015 with construction expected to begin in 2016.

Construction work will begin in 2015 on another 120 MW Taunsa hydropower project and is expected to take four years to complete.

A 50MW solar farm is to be constructed in Punjab. Another 50 MW solar power project in Sindh is also under consideration.