Abstract:
Wind energy is one of the rapidly growing fields of renewable energy in the world. In Pakistan, despite having a tremendous potential, the installed capacity of wind energy is stalled at 1,287 MW which is around 0.37% of the total available potential. The following study investigates potential locations throughout Pakistan at provincial level with high suitability for wind farm deployment. The assessment of wind resource at each location is performed by utilizing GIS wind speed and power density data. Twenty locations all over Pakistan, with 3 to 5 sites in each province of Pakistan, are selected. In order to evaluate the feasibility at each selected site, SAM is utilized to model 50 MW wind farm and perform techno-economic analysis. Sites are also prioritized depending on their estimated net energy yield, capacity factor, NPV, LCOE and payback period. RETScreen is utilized to determine the net reduction in carbon equivalent emissions and liters of gasoline saved from combustion. Social impact assessment is also an integral part of the study which is performed to evaluate the public’s opinion and perception about wind turbines. It is carried out by conducting survey and interviews in Khuzdar, Baluchistan and Jhimpir, Sindh. It is investigated that Sothgun, Washuk in Baluchistan demonstrated the most suitable techno-economic feasibility. The net annual electricity yield at Sothgun came out to be 287,766 MWh with a simple payback period of 4.2 years. The net reduction in CO2e emissions was evaluated to be 105,808 tons per year with 45,463,165 liters of gasoline not consumed. The results of social assessment suggest that the government of Pakistan should include public awareness and participation schemes, financial incentives, efficient feed-in-tariffs and indigenization of wind technology into the next energy policy of Pakistan.
