VZCZCXRO7874
RR RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHKP #0139 1140448
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240448Z APR 09
FM AMCONSUL KARACHI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1045
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0502
INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0274
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1864
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0089
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 2723
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4606
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS KARACHI 000139 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ENRG EINV PGOV ECON PK
SUBJECT:  SINDH - PAKISTAN INNAUGURATES FIRST WIND FARM 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  On April 19, Prime Minister Gilani officially inaugurated 
the Zorlu Wind Power Project, Pakistan's first wind farm.  Located 
in Jhimpir, Sindh this commercial project is currently capable of 
generating 4.8 megawatts (MW) of power, but is expected to generate 
300 MW by the end of 2010.  End Summary. 
 
Winds of Change 
----------------- 
¶2.  (SBU)  At a "Winds of Change" themed event, attended by Prime 
Minister Gilani, Sindh Governor Ibad, Sindh Chief Minister Shah, 
Federal Minister for Water and Power Ashraf,  Federal Water and 
Power Secretary Rafi, diplomats, members of the National Assembly, 
members of the Provincial Assembly, and businessmen, Pakistan 
inaugurated its first wind power plant, on April 19.  Located in 
Jhimpir, Thatta, Sindh, approximately 100 km (62 miles) northeast of 
Karachi, this commercial wind farm was hailed as a "giant leap" for 
Pakistan. 
 
¶3.  (U)  The Zorlu Wind Power Project is on a site designed by 
German engineers in the Ghoro-Keti Bandar Wind Corridor.  The wind 
corridor is 60 km wide and 170 km deep, and is believed to be 
capable of producing 50,000 MW of electricity.  This project is the 
first of several planned in the area.  During his address, Prime 
Minister Gilani announced that there are 24 other wind projects in 
various stages of development throughout Pakistan that will add 1200 
MW of power. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Turkish company, Zorlu Enerji, obtained the lease from 
the Government of Pakistan (GOP) to build and operate the plant for 
20 years.  The company's business plan is to recover development and 
construction costs within the first 10 years.  The site manager told 
EconOff that Zorlu Enerji invested USD 100 million into the site. 
It took two years to build the first four wind turbines because of 
bureaucratic delays, according to the Pakistan Administration 
Manager for Zorlu Enerji.  Zorlu plans to add 30 wind turbines in 
the next four months, which will increase the generating capability 
to 50 MW.  By the end of 2010, Zorlu plans to generate 300MW. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  The first 6 MW of capacity is contracted to the Hyderabad 
Electrical Supply Company (HESCO). (Note:  The fifth wind turbine 
will soon be operational.  Once it is, the site will generate 6 MW. 
End note.)  The project is expected to provide enough electricity 
for 6,900 to 7,400 homes and the initial tariff is set at USD 
12.1057 cents per Kilowatt hour.  While this rate is cheaper than 
electricity produced by oil powered plants, it is more expensive 
than electricity from hydroelectric or nuclear power plants.  The 
head of the Karachi office of the Alternative Energy Development 
Board told Post, however, that Zorlu is expected to appeal to the 
government regulator for a rate increase of three or four cents, 
which will make the tariff on par with oil powered plants. 
Indications are that the tariff will decrease once Zorlu recovers 
its development costs in 10 years. The plant is expected to displace 
10,500 tons of carbon dioxide each year. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Prime Minister Gilani declared that this project 
represented a "new era" for Pakistan.  He praised the wind farm as a 
source of "green, economical, and indigenous power".  He explained 
that the development of alternative energy is important for 
Pakistan's energy security, as it will enable the country to reduce 
its dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce pollution. During 
the event, Prime Minister Gilani also announced an Alternative 
Energy Fund to help finance similar projects and to build capacity. 
This fund will fall under the purview of the Alternative Energy 
Development Board.  Prime Minister Gilani also reaffirmed the GOP's 
goal of adding enough power capacity to stop load-shedding by the 
end of the current year. 
 
Comment 
---------- 
¶7.  (SBU) This event received wide media coverage and is viewed by 
many government and business officials as an important step in 
Pakistan's development of alternative energy.  The timetable for the 
planned expansion seems ambitious, but appears to receive high-level 
government support.  The new few months and years will determine if 
Pakistan is able to expand its use of wind power, and foster a 
greater commitment and investment in alternative energy.  End 
comment.