ISLAMABAD – Italian oil and gas giant Enihas inaugurated on Friday the BhitPhotovoltaic Plant in Pakistan, through its subsidiary Eni New EnergyPakistan.
This is Eni’s first solar project in the country. The plant, built inproximity to the Bhit Gas Plant, aims at supporting the upstream operationsby providing green energy in an off-grid configuration.
As per the company statement, the Bhit Photovoltaic Plant has a 10MW peakcapacity and is expected to produce approximately 20GWh (Gigawatt hours)annually. The output energy will be used on site, reducing gas consumptionand avoiding around 144,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions during plantlife.
The photovoltaic plant works in full synergy with the existing powergeneration system of Bhit gas treatment plant, optimising operational costswith the shutdown one of the existing gas turbines. Exploiting all thesynergies in place with its presence, Eni has achieved a short time-tomarket, with a start-up reached only 6 months after the Final InvestmentDecision (FID).
“Bhit Photovoltaic Plant, while adding extra value to the traditionaloperations held in Pakistan, confirms Eni’s commitment towards a low-carbonscenario in which renewable energy plays a pivotal role and is fullyintegrated in the energy mix,” read the statement.
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Earlier, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub said that Pakistan had investmentpotential of $40 billion in the sector of alternative energy. Pakistan infuture could produce 75 percent of electricity from its own indigenoussustainable resources without importing fuel like oil and gas
Eni has been present in Pakistan since 2000 and operates in the upstreamsector, where the main permits in the country are Bhit/Badhra (Eni operatorwith a 40% interest), Kadanwari (Eni operator with 18,42% interest), Latif(Eni 33,3%), Sawan (Eni 23.68%), Zamzama (Eni 17.75%) and Miano (Eni15,16%). Eni is the Operator of three offshore blocks and is also active inthe Midstream sector.
