Pakistan eyes solar power potential

Energy companies working in Pakistan said plans for a 50-megawatt solar power plant would help the country avert a long-term energy crisis. German solar energy company Conergy announced it teamed with Hong Kong project developer Ensunt to build a 50-megawatt solar power plant in Pakistan. Conergy described the project as the biggest solar power effort for the country and one of the most ambitious in the region. Developers said Pakistan is vulnerable to significant volatility in the energy sector given its heavy reliance on hydroelectric plants. "With 8-9 hours of sunshine per day and annual insolation values of more than 1,700 kilowatt hours per square meter, the climatic conditions in Pakistan are ideal (for solar power)," said Conergy. Pakistan is facing a looming energy crisis because of volatility and a lack of domestic natural resources. "Due to the decentralized character of this form of energy and the high insolation levels, solar energy is ideally suited to close this gap and to supply the population with safe, clean and affordable energy," Marc Lohoff, a top regional executive for Conergy said in a statement. "At the same time, solar power can support the economic development of the country." Project timelines and costs weren't specified by companies involved in the solar power plant.