Project Brief:
The project includes 13 no’s of Solar Mini Grids, which are to be installed in seven (7) districts and six (6) Ex-Frontier Regions (FRs), providing a reliable and uninterruptable electric power supply. It provides a quick and cost-efficient energy through solar PV technology. It will also reduce burden on the national grid. The project is focused to serve retail shops/workshops/small private enterprises/offices and all other load centers located in the subject areas where demand for the electricity is on need and urgent basis.
For electrification, load centers selection will be decided on need basis and financial acceptance to the tariff. Furthermore, the load center will be located within the one (1) kilometer periphery of the grid. The maximum sanction load for the grid will be within the seventy percent (70%) of the Grid capacity.
The land for the construction of the grid will be acquired through the concerned district administration office. The payments for land acquisition will be released by the PEDO project authority through cross cheque to the designated account of the concerned district administration for further disbursement to the land owner. The concerned district administration will be responsible for all the issues related to the land acquisition and construction of transmission line. The PEDO project PMU will provide the technical assistance to the district administration for land identification for construction of the solar Mini Grid and path for the erection of the power transmission line.
Salient Features:
PV Module Capacity each Grid: 175 KW
Inverter Capacity each Grid: 150 KW
Battery Bank Capacity each Grid: 200KWHr
Length of Transmission Line: About 1 Km
Annual Energy: 3.46 GWh
Approved PC-1 Cost (As per AA): Rs. 729.61 Million
Technical Sanction Cost: Rs.757.51 Millions
Commencement Date: June, 2019
Anticipated Completion Date: June, 2020
Defect Liability Period: June, 2022
Challenges Faced During Implementation:
After the approval of the project, the districts administration lack in land record and procedure/SOPs for land acquisition in merged areas, therefore, the process of the land acquisition was delayed till the finalization of land acquisition rules 2020 dated July 23, 2020 vide no. REV:V/4/B.J/2019/1726-72. Merged Areas.
Due to COVID–19 pandemic, the process of land acquisition and installation at site were delayed due to the unavailability of NOC’s from districts administration.
In original PC–I, the approved land cost is PKR. 195 million, whereas the actual land cost incurred till date is 119.19 million.
The erection of power transmission line/poles was delayed due to the community observations/ unwillingness.
The variable Law and Order situation, restricted movement and working hours are other factors causing delay in execution work.
Initially sites were not identified. The sites were sought and identified after award of contracts. The identified sites survey was conducted, data was collected and feasibility was evaluated. After due diligence, the district administration of two (2) sub. Divisions i.e. Sub. Division Wazir (Ex – FR Bannu) and Sub Division Bettani (Ex–FR Lakki Marwat) responded that no such market/bazar is available.
The estimates for land acquisition in Sub. Division Darazinda and Sub. Division Dara Adam Khel are still not intimated to office of the concerned Project Director (Solar).
The bill of quantities (BOQ) was also revised on the bases of site requirements and technical grounds and revised PC-I was submitted for further approval.
Challenges Faced During 2022-23:
Land Acquisition and site identification of various Grids e.g. Sararogha bazar,South Waziristan
Law and Order situation and security threats.
Route clearance for Transmission Line from Grid to Market.
Approval of 2nd Revised PC-I.
Works stopped at site due to the Payment Issues to land owner e.g., Kurram, Orakzai and Hassan Khel (FR Peshawar).
Additional; Cost of Transmission Lines and depreciation issues.
Stoppage of work by the locals during construction of Transmission Line.
Current Status of Project:
Civil Works: 80 %
Electro & Mechanical: 80 %
Transmission Line: 55 %
Control Room Allied equipment: 85 %