Wednesday 3 April 2013

Korean firm to build solar plant in Pakistan

A Korean energy firm has signed an agreement to install a 300MW solar power plant in Pakistan.

The project, which will be built by CK Solar Korea, is expected to cost around $900 million (£595.5m) and will be completed by 2016.

The Government of the Balochistan province is believed to have leased 1,500 acres of land in two local towns for the project, which it said would help address the power shortages in the province and increase self-reliance in the energy sector.

Provincial Secretary Energy Fuad Hashim Rabbani said: “Currently, the local population of targeted areas are using kerosene lanterns, which is hazardous to the health and non-economical due to the intermittent price hike.”

He added the energy produced by the plant would also be used to meet the electricity requirements of medical facilities such as hospitals and basic health units.

The Government is also planning to install 20 solar-powered water pumps in 10 districts in the nation, according to reports.