Italian energy giant Eni inaugurates first solar plant in Pakistan

• Bhit Photovoltaic Plant has a 10MW peak capacity and is expected to produce approximately 20GWh annually.
• The plant will allow to avoid 144,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions during its life.

Italian oil and gas giant Enihas inaugurated on Friday the Bhit Photovoltaic Plant in Pakistan, through its subsidiary Eni New Energy Pakistan.

This is Eni’s first solar project in the country. The plant, built in proximity to the Bhit Gas Plant, aims at supporting the upstream operations by providing green energy in an off-grid configuration.

As per the company statement, the Bhit Photovoltaic Plant has a 10MW peak capacity and is expected to produce approximately 20GWh (Gigawatt hours) annually. The output energy will be used on site, reducing gas consumption and avoiding around 144,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions during plant life.

The photovoltaic plant works in full synergy with the existing power generation system of Bhit gas treatment plant, optimising operational costs with the shutdown one of the existing gas turbines. Exploiting all the synergies in place with its presence, Eni has achieved a short time-to market, with a start-up reached only 6 months after the Final Investment Decision (FID).

“Bhit Photovoltaic Plant, while adding extra value to the traditional operations held in Pakistan, confirms Eni’s commitment towards a low-carbon scenario in which renewable energy plays a pivotal role and is fully integrated in the energy mix,” read the statement.

Earlier, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub said that Pakistan had investment potential of $40 billion in the sector of alternative energy. Pakistan in future could produce 75 percent of electricity from its own indigenous sustainable resources without importing fuel like oil and gas

Eni has been present in Pakistan since 2000 and operates in the upstream sector, where the main permits in the country are Bhit/Badhra (Eni operator with a 40% interest), Kadanwari (Eni operator with 18,42% interest), Latif (Eni 33,3%), Sawan (Eni 23.68%), Zamzama (Eni 17.75%) and Miano (Eni 15,16%). Eni is the Operator of three offshore blocks and is also active in the Midstream sector.