GE to install 150 megawatts of wind turbines for project in Jhimpir, Pakistan

GE recently signed an agreement to provide and install 87 GE 1.7-103 wind turbines for a 150-megawatt (MW) project in Jhimpir, Pakistan as well provide operations and maintenance services for 10 years.

GE signed the contract with Tricon Boston Consulting Private Limited (TBCPL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by Sapphire Textile Mills Limited and will provide the turbines for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, Power China.

The new turbines may provide up to a 30 percent increase in annual energy production compared to the previous turbines.

“GE is committed to supporting the Pakistani government in meeting its goals of providing reliable power to improve the lives of the people of Pakistan,” Manar Al Moneef, CEO of Renewable Energy at GE Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said. “We want to increase and sustain Pakistan’s installed renewable energy capacity and annual wind additions. Wind power generation is an affordable & environmental-friendly solution, benefiting from a short implementation cycle delivering quick returns for the investment.”

Pakistan has an estimated 132 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy capacity and is aiming to increase the percentage of indigenous sources of power generation to over 50 percent under the Government of Pakistan’s Vision 2025.

“The demand for energy is increasing in Pakistan and is expected to grow in the coming years,” Sarim Sheikh, president & CEO of GE Pakistan, Iran & Afghanistan, said. “Wind energy is a clean and low cost renewable resource available in the country and the potential, for the use of alternative technologies, is yet to be fully explored. Wind power provides an opportunity to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuel and, with wind output highest during summer months, provides the perfect complement to Pakistan’s energy needs when there is peak demand in the grid.”