Pakistan plans first tariff-based solar auction for 50MW in Sindh

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Flickr: Nicolas Raymon

The government of Sindh in Pakistan plans to launch an auction for the development of 50MW of solar PV in the Province, with support from the World Bank.

A formal procurement process is set for Q2 2018 and this will be followed by many subsequent renewable energy auctions in Sindh.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) first enabled such tariff-based solar auctions back in March this year as a replacement for the feed-in tariff (FiT) programme, despite opposition from some developers. The Sindh auction will be the first of its kind in Pakistan.

The 50MW project is set for a site on state-owned land north-west of Hyderabad.

The Energy Department of the Sindh government noted that competitive auctions have seen PV prices drop dramatically across the globe to become the lowest cost source of generation in many geographies. It also said the new auction will “follow international standards and procedures to ensure full transparency and ensure least-cost bids are obtained.”

This pilot auction is part of a larger programme for solar and other renewables being developed by the Energy Department, which will include development of large-scale renewables, rooftop PV on public buildings and support for off-grid renewables in rural areas. The government is particularly keen to attract foreign direct investment.

The Energy Department has now released a Request for Information (RfI) to solar developers and investors prior to the formal procurement process. A consultation with interested developers will take place early next year.

Agha Wasif Abbas, energy secretary, government of Sindh, said: “We are excited that Sindh is leading the way by introducing price discovery for solar power tariffs in Pakistan. This 50MW project is about demonstrating that solar power can be a least-cost generation option, and we look forward to welcoming qualified international and domestic solar power developers to bid on this project, and on subsequent renewable energy auctions.”

Riccardo Puliti, director of energy and extractives at the World Bank, said: “The World Bank is pleased to be working with the government of Sindh in helping to scale up renewable energy in the province. We believe that introducing auctions for renewable energy will be important for Pakistan in replicating the cost reductions see in other countries.”

Read Next

June 17, 2025
The World Bank has approved a loan of around US$600 million to support the development of 540MW of new solar and wind capacity in Indonesia.
June 12, 2025
The government of Pakistan has proposed to impose an 18% general sales tax (GST) on imported solar panels in its Federal Budget 2025-2026.
May 6, 2025
While other technologies exist, c-Si solar PV technology is the leading candidate for large-scale energy production, writes Radovan Kopecek.
April 10, 2025
PowerChina has halted a 51GW centralised module procurement tender, the largest in the country’s history, citing new pricing policies.
March 25, 2025
Scatec has penned a 25-year PPA with Tunisian state utility Société Tunisienne de l'Electricité et du Gaz for a 120MW solar PV power plant.
Premium
March 19, 2025
PV Talk: Prabhakar Sharma from JMK Research talks to PV Tech Premium on the challenges of realising the potential of India's renewable energy tenders.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA