ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), in partnership with Aga Khan Planing and Building Services- Pakistan (AKPBS-P), has set up wind turbines and solar panels to provide environmentally friendly electricity to approximately 6,500 people in 29 villages of district Thatta in Sindh province.

According to PPAF sources, the AKPBS-P, with the support from PPAF, the World Bank and the contribution by the village residents in the form of unskilled labour, installed 29 wind turbines, 29 solar panels and streetlights in various villages located in Thatta, which were without electricity for decades.

The immediate benefit of electrification is improved lighting, which is much brighter, cheaper and safe than that provided by kerosene lamps, the sources added.

They said that by utilizing local and renewable energy resources instead of diesel for power generation, not only protect the environment but also stimulates economic benefits for an improved quality of life.

A key reason why this village has not yet benefited from an electric grid connection is its geographical isolation that offered an extremely low return on investment made in grid extension. This challenge required a local and cost-effective solution which was provided by PPAF.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011

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