SWPCL 52.8 MW wind power achieves COD ahead of time

04 Dec, 2015

ISLAMABAD: Sapphire Wind Power Company's (SWPCL) 52.8 MW wind power plant has attained commercial operation (COD) in a record time of only 14 months.

The plant located at Jhimpir achieved this landmark at the successful conclusion of seven day reliability test run witnessed by officials of National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) and Central Purchase Power Agency (CPPA), sources told APP.

Hydrochina, a Chinese EPC contractor using 33x1.6 MW GE wind turbines constructed the power plant.

This has been a great showcase of international collaboration, the sources said, where consistent government policy and support enabled the stakeholders to proactively pool resources and set a new record commissioning time for wind projects in Pakistan.

Some $ 95 million debt financing was secured for the project from Oversees Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), USA, the sources informed.

The project is a joint ownership of Sapphire Textile and Bank Alfalah and both sponsors are committed to further expanding their footprint in the renewable energy sector in Pakistan.

They are also developing three more wind power projects of 50 MW each in the Jhimpir Wind Corridor. The entry of such professional organization would augur well for the future growth of the RE sector in the country, the sources added.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2015

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