British project developer Oracle Power's joint venture company with UAE's Kaheel Energy, Oracle Energy Limited, has secured environmental clearance for its utility-scale hybrid renewable energy project in Pakistan. This clears the path for the construction of the 1.3 GW hybrid facility to commence.
The renewable energy project is designed with 800 MW solar PV, which is an increase of 100 MW from the originally intended capacity. Another 500 MW will come from wind turbines. It is also proposed to be accompanied by a 450 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).
The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) awarded a no objection certificate (NOC) to the project based on the initial environmental examination (IEE) report. It secured the clearance for being a schedule II project, meaning it is not in any protective or sensitive area.
Oracle submitted the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) report to the SEPA in April 2024 for its project located in Jhimpir, Sindh. The project location is in Thatta district's Gharo-Jhimpir wind corridor.
Renewable energy generated by the hybrid facility is aimed to power a 400 MW green hydrogen facility with an annual production capacity of 55,000 tons or 275,000 tons of green ammonia. It will be exported to regional markets for industry and utilities while excess may support the domestic market.
Oracle plans to sell surplus renewable energy generated by the hybrid plant to the national grid or to private players.
The company will develop the project with its partner China Electric Power Equipment and Technology, a subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation of China. The duo announced commencing grid interconnection study for the proposed plant last week.
In April 2023, Oracle and PowerChina announced plans to explore the development of a 1 GW solar power plant in the former's Thar Block VI coalfield in Sindh (see 1 GW Solar Power Plant In Pakistan's Sindh).