Burj Capital switches on 50MW wind plant in Jhimpir

LAHORE: Burj Capital, a Dubai-based investment firm, on Wednesday announced successful achievement of commercial operations at its 500MW renewable asset platform in Jhimpir, located in Gharo-Keti Bandar wind corridor, southeastern Pakistan.

“Completing our first project and delivering power to the national grid is a proud moment indeed,” Saad Zaman, founder and group CEO of Burj Capital, said in a statement. “This is only the start; however, we have a lot more in store for Pakistan.

Zaman said they were at the cusp of an energy revolution that would transform the country into an energy rich nation.

“I would like to congratulate all our stakeholders, especially the government of Pakistan,” the Burj Capital CEO said adding it must be gratifying to see the wind and solar space bearing fruit.

He said with their (government's) continued support this sector would only grow and play a key role in securing the country’s energy future.

Ray W. Washburne, president Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), said the provision of reliable electricity was an essential building block of any economy.

“The OPIC is proud of its partnership with Burj Capital and our work together to bring reliable energy generation to the people of Pakistan,” Washburne added.

The OPIC, which is a US government development finance institution, is the sole debt provider to the project. The agency has financed five projects, totaling about 250MW, in Gharo-Keti Bandar wind corridor.

Jhimpir Power hired GE Renewable Energy as the turbine supplier and operations and maintenance contractor. The project has been built by PowerChina Huadong as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor. It is the fifth project in Pakistan to feature GE’s advanced wind turbines.

As part of its operations and maintenance services, GE is also offering the project its technical know-how and smart maintenance and repair services prioritizing plant performance.

Dr Manar Al Moneef, general manager GE Renewable Energy in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said the GE was very pleased with the relationship established with Burj Capital for Jhimpir Power, and was thrilled to inaugurate the first project our companies have delivered together in Pakistan.

“This not only underscores our commitment to bring clean and affordable energy to Pakistan, but also helps us to provide even more opportunities for local people and businesses, with the addition of 50MW of renewable power in the national grid, that can light up more than 20,000 homes,” Moneef added.

The Jhimpir wind corridor coupled with solar power can be further developed into a resource of national importance, able to reduce the country’s reliance on expensive imported fuels and provide the people of Pakistan clean and cheap electricity.