Pakistan received a major boost in its endeavour to expand renewable energy infrastructure as Canada agreed to set up large-scale solar power projects in one of the country’s provinces.
According media reports, the can Canadian government recently signed an agreement with the government of Balochistan to set up 1 GW solar power capacity in the province.
The agreement was signed by the Baloch government itself under special power received through the Pakistan constitution.
As per the agreement, a Canadian company shall set up 20 solar power projects of 50 MW capacity each. The projects are expected to be distributed across the province. A Canadian delegation is expected to visit Pakistan soon to finalise the various project locations.
Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in foreign investment in its renewable energy sector. Led by China, Pakistan’s renewable energy sector has seen increased interest from European governments and companies.
Foreign investors poured $3 billion over the last year into the renewable energy sector in Pakistan, officials from the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) have said. The largely untapped resource potential and a feed-in tariff regime has made renewable energy an attractive investment avenue.
Earlier this year, the AEDB reported that as many as 35 solar PV power projects are currently at various stages of development. These projects will have a cumulative installed capacity of 1,111 MW.
