WAPDA organized Road Show in Bangkok for purchase & import of 300 MW-Floating Solar Project

ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 (SABAH): Water and Development Authority (WAPDA) on Monday organized Road Show in Bangkok for the purchase and import of 300 MW-Floating Solar Project – the first of its kind in Pakistan.

Under the project, WAPDA will deploy two 150 MW floating solar plants – one on Ghazi Head Pond at Tarbela Complex and the other on North Pond at Ghazi-Barotha Complex, the World Bank has shown interest to provide 95% financing for the project.

Pakistan has decided to import two floating solar power plants, first of their kind in Pakistan, and has approached the World bank for financing of the import of such unique floating solar power plants. 

A 150 MW solar power plant to be floated at Terbela Dam surface water and second on floating solar power plant to be floated at Ghazi Broatha hydro power , surface water. Both the floating power plants would enable to generate some 300 mw least expensive power for the country.

The constriction of hydro power projects, for cheapest power generation, have gone beyond reach of Pakistan,s financial resources and Thermal power plant,s are no more feasible as the production of thermal power is costing country Rs.24 to Rs45 per unit.

The only option available to Pakistan is to tap the alternate options available to it and Idea for opting the Floating solar power plant is the least expensive would be able to provide Pakistan required least cost power witning mimimum time frame, an official at energy Ministry of Energy told.

Pakistan has asked the World Bank to, provide part of the proceeds toward payments under the Contract for Design, Supply, Installation, commissioning and Testing of 300 MW Floating Solar Plant in Tarbela- Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Complex.

In this regards, Pakistan has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the implementation of Floating Solar in Pakistan Project. The work consists of Design, Supply, Installation, Commissioning and Testing of 150 MW Floating Solar Plant in Ghazi Barrage Pond (Distt. Haripur) and 150 MW Floating Solar Plant in Barotha Forebay Pond (Distt. Attock).

WAPDA, on behalf of the World Bank now has invited sealed bids from eligible bidders for floating solar plants for design, supply, installation, commissioning and testing of 300 MW in Ghazi Barrage Pond and Barotha Forebay Pond of Ghazi Barotha Hydro Power Project, with two years of delivery/construction period.