ISLAMABAD: A consultative workshop was organised by the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) to discuss with the public and private sector stakeholders RFP (Request for Proposal) packages for competitive bidding of wind power projects.
The workshop was attended by many wind power developers falling under category-III of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, along with associated technology providers, technical & financial consultants, provincial energy departments and relevant Federal Government agencies including Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
The meeting was informed that AEDB was pursuing the development of renewable energy-based power generation projects in line with government policies through private sector investors on IPP mode.
It was told that more than 1,900MW of wind, solar and bagasse-based power generation projects were already operational and supplying electricity to the national grid.
The CCoE, in February 2019, had decided to allow the RE projects in the pipeline to proceed ahead with the development of their respective projects by segregating them into three distinct categories based on the progress and status of the projects. The projects falling under category-I and category-II were allowed to be developed on their respective tariff determinations as made by NEPRA, while the projects falling under category-III were allowed to proceed ahead subject to becoming successful in a competitive bidding process specifically designed for them and based on the quantum identified by NTDC.
In compliance with the CCoE decision, AEDB has been facilitating the RE projects under category-I&II for their development. As a result, 12 wind power projects have recently achieved financial closing of their respective projects having a cumulative capacity of 610 MW and will be providing more than 2 billion units of electricity per annum.
In order to carry out the competitive bidding for RE projects falling under category-III, AEDB developed RFP documents with the support of USAID SEP programme and based on inputs and suggestions from relevant public sector stakeholders.
In order to seek inputs and suggestions from all relevant stakeholders especially the LOI holders and associated technical and financial experts and lenders, AEDB has planned to carry out consultative workshops on the draft RFP packages for wind and solar projects on 27th and 29th November 2019, respectively.
