KARACHI: Wind power generation capacity in Pakistan increasing rapidly as 13 projects with a cumulative installed capacity of around 650 MW have been installed and commissioned whereas 25 projects with cumulative capacity of around 1400 MW are in various stages of implementation. Pakistan is developing wind power plants in Jhimpir, Gharo, Keti Bandar and Bin Qasim in Sindh as the cheap and environmental-friendly wind energy is gaining popularity. Alternative Energy Development Board of Pakistan has identified two wind corridors (of Jhimpir and Gharo) in the province of Sindh while the estimated potential for these two corridors is more than 50,000 MW. On Monday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has granted another generation license to wind power plant. The Nepra granted generation license to the Iran-Pak Wind Power (pvt.) Limited (IPWPPL) for its wind farm with installed capacity of 49.50 MW located at Tapo Junqshahi, District Thatta, Sindh. Main sponsor of the project include SUNIR (Iran Power & Water Equipment and Services Export Company) of the Islamic Republic of Iran whereas the minor sponsors include the Planet Group and the Tufail group of Pakistan. SUNIR is an Iranian group company, constituted of 24 independent companies involved in manufacturing of a wide range of different equipment & a rich experience of engineering services & consultancy in water & electricity industries. Since its establishment in 1994, SUNIR has successfully performed a wide range of activities in more than 18 countries. Energy Department of Government of Sindh issued Letter of Intent (Lol) for development of the project and also allocated to the sponsors 1250 acres of land in the Jhimpir wind corridor at Deh Kohistan 7/3 Tapo Jungshahi, Taluka & District Thatta, in the province of Sindh for setting up an approximately 50.00 MW generation facility/Wind Power Plant/Wind Farm. For the implementation of the project, the sponsors have incorporated a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) in the name of IPWPPL. The proposed project is based on Renewable Energy (RE) source and does not cause pollution as in the case of conventional power plants. However, the Nepra considers that the construction and operation of the generation facility/Wind Power Plant/VVind Farm may cause soil pollution and noise pollution. In this regard, the IPWPPL also carried out the Initial Environment Examination and submitted the same for the consideration and approval of Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Government of Sindh while EPA has issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the construction of the project. The IPWPLL’s wind power plant will achieve Commercial Operation Date by June 30, 2019 and will have a useful life of more than twenty (20) years. Published in Daily Times, July 5th , 2017.