Pakistan has reportedly postponed its renewable energy development plans in favour of liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to local media.
The country’s ministry of water and power (MoWP) told the energy committee that it thought wind and solar projects should be put on hold. The committee, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, took the recommendation on board and declared that no more wind or solar projects would be advanced until costs were comparable with traditional energy sources.
Earlier this year the country approved net metering laws. At the end of 2014 the PM overturned a tax on imports of solar equipment.
It is thought that the 1GW Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park will be unaffected. Chinese firms have been heavily involved in the development. The two countries have previously agreed a US$20 billion energy investment package. A US$46 billion infrastructure investment package was announced earlier this week.
Module manufacturer Yingli simultaneously issued a publicity statement about a its panels being used for a 1MW array on Pakistan’s Parliament House. The installation was funded by the Chinese government.
