Interconnection study launched for 1.3-GW renewables hub in Pakistan

Oracle Power PLC (LON:ORCP) said today it has started a transmission and grid interconnection study for its planned 1.3-GW renewables hub in southern Pakistan that will house solar and wind parks, coupled with energy storage.

Oracle is jointly developing the renewables project with State Grid Corporation of China’s subsidiary China Electric Power Equipment and Technology Co Ltd (CET). The two partners have assigned the study to local engineering consultancy Power Planners International (Pvt) Ltd (PPI). The expenses on the study will be covered by State Grid China, the British firm said in a securities filing.

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The proposed hub will be located in the village of Jhimpir in the Sindh Province. It envisages the construction of an 800-MW solar site, a 500-MW wind farm and a suitable battery energy storage system (BESS).

The output of the power-generating assets is planned to be fed to the National Grid, with connection facilitated through the Network of National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC). The power evacuation will be done through the existing 220-kV Jhimpir-II Grid station or any other grid interconnection scheme identified in collaboration with NTDC.

“This study will complete our feasibility study package for the Power Plant and will be instrumental in propelling us into the FEED stage. Additionally, it will help to lay the groundwork for future confirmation of potential off-take and financing arrangements,” said Oracle’s CEO Naheed Memon.

Earlier this year, Oracle launched an environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) for the project.