India's Largest Renewable Energy Project in Salt Deserts Bordering Pakistan
India is building its most significant renewable energy project in the salt deserts bordering Pakistan. The project, called the Khavda Renewable Energy Park, will be about as large as Singapore, spreading out over 726 square kilometers (280 square miles). It will supply 30 gigawatts of renewable energy annually, enough to power nearly 18 million Indian homes. The project is expected to contribute significantly to India's transition to producing energy from clean sources, read more.
Solar Panel Price Update in Pakistan
The prices of solar panels in Pakistan have seen a significant increase, with the cost varying depending on the capacity, read more. The latest prices reported are as follows:
- 7-kilowatt: Rs850,000 to Rs920,000
- 10-kilowatt: Rs1,100,000 to Rs1,250,000
- 12-kilowatt: Rs1,400,000 to Rs1,600,000
- 15-kilowatt: Rs1,500,000 to Rs1,800,000
K-Electric's Plan to Increase Renewable Energy Share
K-Electric, which delivers power to Karachi and surrounding regions, has proposed increasing the percentage of renewable energy to 28% by 2030, up from 3% now. The corporation also wants to decrease electricity generation using imported fuels to 54% by 2030, from the current 91%.
Budget Allocation for Solar Energy Conversion
The Pakistani government has set aside a budget of Rs30 billion for the solar energy conversion of 50,000 solar tube wells under the Fast Track Solar Initiatives 2022. The aim is to reduce reliance on energy imports by enhancing dependency on renewable sources. Batteries, solar panels, and inverters' raw materials will be free from customs taxes in the budget 2023-24.
Mega Transmission Projects
The transmission sector is anticipated to have 3,750 MVA additional capacity during the fiscal year 2023-24. The transmission lines will be extended by 522km on the 220kV level and 668km on the 220kV level. Dasu Evacuation and Suki Kinari Evacuation are allocated in the current budget.
Mohmand Dam, Diamer Bhasha Dam, and Dasu Hydropower Project
These initiatives seek to produce power at a reasonable price while also supplying water to the agriculture sector. However, the budget does not address ways to reduce theft, line loss, or circular debt, read more.
