Balochistan looks towards renewable energy to meet power needs

In order to mitigate the energy woes in the province of Balochistan, the provincial government has decided to launch major renewable energy projects to meet the power needs.

This was stated by Secretary Energy, Balochistan Shehryar Taj, said while talking to local media. The government official informed that over Rs1.64 billion has been allocated for 67 new projects in the energy sector in this year's annual development program.

He said that the process of acquisition of land for construction of energy parks in the province is underway including 5000 acres in Sibi, 10,000 acres for wind energy park in Naukundi, 2000 acres for Qila Saifullah Solar Energy Park and one thousand acres of land is being acquired for solar energy parks in Mastung, Pishin, Khuzdar, Loralai, Panjgur, and Lasbela.

Shehryar Taj further said that the post of CEO of Balochistan Energy Company Limited is being filled soon while the establishment of the Oil and Gas Directorate has been approved.

He said that energy experts have been hired with the help of the EU project while a camp office of the department is being set up in Islamabad and assistance will be obtained from the federal government for strengthening the power supply infrastructure in the province.