PAKISTAN WILL BRING SUN POWER

7,000 villages to be electrified through solar energy: minister
July 2, 2009 (The New International)

"The government has set a target to electrify 7,000 villages, which cannot be electrified by grid, through solar energy in the next five years, says Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashrraf…He was addressing the representatives of more than 120 countries in the second session of the preparatory commission of IRENA, held in resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh…

"The minister said that the world needs to develop global financial mechanism that responds to the special requirements of the renewable energy sector. ‘Pakistan feels that if level playing field is provided to the renewable energy sector, they are the least expensive, environment friendly and the most sustainable resources of energy.’"

One thing Pakistan has is sun. (click to enlarge)

"He said that Pakistan has also set high targets for itself including renewable energies to add 5% (approximately 10,000 MW) of the electricity generation on grid by year 2030 and the replacement of 5% diesel with bio-diesel by year 2015 and 10% by 2025.

"He extended full support of Pakistan to the newly perceived International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)…[and] took part in the voting proceedings for the selections of the place for Headquarter of IRENA and the election of its Director General."