A Scottish renewables energy consultancy has helped an onshore wind farm in Pakistan to achieve financial close.
Glasgow-based Sgurr Energy – part of the Wood Group conglomerate – conducted a technical lender’s engineer assignment supporting the 49.5MW Tenaga wind farm to financial closure.
The wind farm, located approximately 40 miles from Karachi, will help Pakistan cope with the power shortages which continue to hinder development throughout the country.
Sgurr Energy has been involved in the project since 2011 and has provided advisory services to support the project achieving financial close earlier this year, in March 2015.
Sgurr Energy was selected by the lenders (International Finance Corporation, Habib Bank Limited and Overseas Private Investment Company) and will continue to be involved throughout the construction and operational phases of the project.
The project was identified by the Pakistan Alternative Energy Department Board (a central government agency) as part of the Pakistani government efforts to develop the country’s onshore wind energy power generation. The focus of development is to provide reliable electricity to the southern coastal regions and overcome frequent power shortages.
David Willson, Senior Consultant at Sgurr Energy, commented: “From a technical perspective the project – which is located on an inter-tidal area of land – offered the team some unique challenges to consider.
“At high tide, some of the creeks within the site submerge beneath sea water, while winds coming from the sea expose the equipment to the corrosive marine environment.
“We were able to assess the project and these issues, offering expert advice to help mitigate the lender’s risk exposure.”
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