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PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
ENVIRONMENT & ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
THURSDAY THE 06TH DECEMBER, 2012.
*3627. MS. HEER ISMAIL SOHO: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
Detail/number of such projects by which energy is being produced from wind, solar and other ways?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
1. Through Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and the Government of Sindh, about 32 wind power projects have been taken up by private investors in Thatta and Jamshoro districts to produce approximately 2000-2500 megawatts of electricity. It may be mentioned here that Sindh Board of Investment and Board of Revenue Sindh are spearheading this activity, and the Environment & Alternative Energy Department has not been involved in these projects. These projects are at various stages of implementation. Details of the projects are placed on the table of the House.
2. The Alternative Energy Development Board has executed the following projects:
a. 84 micro wind turbines installed in 13 villages of Thatta to electrify 580 homes.
b. 3000 households in 49 villages of district Tharparkar have been provided electricity through Solar PV Technology.
3. However through the ADP 2012-13, the Environment & Alternative Energy Department is implementing some projects in the field of Alternative Energy.
*5139. MS. RASHEEDA PANHWAR: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
Areas in Sindh feasible for installation of wind mills for generation of electricity?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
The strongest wind corridor of the country is located in Sindh. This wind corridor know as Gharo-Keti Bandar Wind Corridor spreads 60 Km along the coastline of Sindh and more than 170 Km deep towards the land and is mostly located in Thatta and Jamshoro districts. This wind corridor has a potential to generate around 50,000 MW of electricity.
Recent data received through new wind masts installed by installed by AEDB and UNDP at different locations in Sindh, has identified new potential areas in Sindh, which include Badin, Tharparkar and Hyderabad.
*5860. MS. NUSRAT SEHER ABBASI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that various banks are providing solar system as easy terms for the projects of power generation through alternate energy;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
If the Honourable Member was enquiring whether various banks are providing solar systems for power generation projects on easy terms through the Environment & Alternative Energy Department, then the answer is “NO”. However, such facilities are usually provided by micro-credit and micro-finance institutions. The Environment & Alternative Energy Department has held a number of meetings with banks and financial institutions to facilitate this arrangement for the common man.
*5862. MS. NUSRAT SEHER ABBASI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that the system of cooking is being introduced through solar energy in the villages to save forests;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
Yes. Through an ADP scheme titled “Supply of Solar Stoves in Rural Areas of Sindh”, solar stoves/cookers will be distributed in the rural areas of Sindh, which would ensure conservation of forests vital for ecosystems, specially endangered ones like mangroves, and also protect the women folk from air pollution. This would also reduce vulnerability to water borne diseases, as boiled water would be available for use, free of cost.
*5921. SYEDA MARVI RASHDI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that there are number of mills creating environmental pollution;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, the district-wise names/number of the same?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
(a) Yes, a number of industrial units are polluting the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sindh with its limited resources makes efforts to monitor and take action against such violators.
(b) Though the question has not specified the period for which the details have been asked, a list of such industries, against which action has been taken during the period 2011-2012 is placed on the table of the House.
*6111. MS. NUSRAT SEHER ABBASI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that it was planned to generate 50 MW electricity through solar energy during 2009-10;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, present position of the same?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
Yes, a project for generation of 50 MW electric power through solar energy in upper Sindh was proposed in the year 2009. A feasibility study is being conducted through the Annual Development Program in the current financial year on the basis of which the actual project would be formulated.
*6112. MS. NUSRAT SEHER ABBASI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that there is a project to prepare small and medium sized energy project of (5-10 MW) and this project is at the coastal belt;
(b) If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the present progress of the same?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
No. Presently no such project is being implemented by the Environment & Alternative Energy Department.
*6925. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that the wind power project set up at Thatta has failed to produce the expected power claimed in the sponsors feasibility;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, will the land be taken back by the government?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
(a) The question does not specify, which particular wind power project has failed to produce the expected power. In Thatta district there are presently thirty two wind power generation companies in the private sector, whose projects are at various stages of completion.
(b) In February, 2011 the land allocated to the investors through the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) was cancelled as none of the projects were completed. Subsequently the allotments were reviewed on case to case basis after tasking additional ban guarantee and undertaking to complete the project by 2013. The progress is being monitored, and in case of violation of agreed time-schedule, the allocation of land can be withdrawn.
This Department is not actually involved in these projects as Sindh Board of Investment and Board of Revenue Sindh are encroaching into the domain of the Environment & Alternative Energy Department.
*6926. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that no environmental impact assessments have been made on the environmental impacts of the engro coal power project;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, the reasons thereof?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report has been submitted by the Engro Coal Power Project to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sindh on 4th September, 2012. A public hearing after due publicity has been held on 12th November, 2010 at Islamkot. Subsequently, assessment by technical experts is now being taken up.
*6927. MR. ARIF MUSTAFA JATOI: Will the Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development be pleased to state:-
(a) Is it a fact that cow manure can be used to produce bio-gas for electric production;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative, reasons for not promoting the same by the department?
ANSWER
MR. SHAIKH MUHAMMAD AFZAL, Minister for Environment & Alternative Energy Development:
(a) Yes, electricity can be generated by using bio-gas produced from cow dung.
(b) The Environment & Alternative Energy Department is facilitating a project in Landhi Cattle Colony (Bhains Colony), which is being pursued by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation
Karachi:- G. M. Umer Farooq
the 05th December, 2012. Acting Secretary
Provincial Assembly of Sindh.
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