KfW Development Bank and PPAF inaugurate Solar Energy Mini-Grid Projects in Swabi and Karak

Islamabad, July 16, 2018 : KfW Development Bank, Germany and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) inaugurated state of art Solar Energy Mini-Grids Projects completed recently in district Swabi and district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa respectively.

The inauguration ceremonies were attended by Mr. Michael Gruber, Division Head of Peace and Governance Program-KfW Frankfurt, Mrs. Maja Bott, Principal Project Manager, Peace Governance Project, KfW Germany, Mr. Thilo Heighberger, Technical Expert, KfW Germany, Mr. Shaukat Ali, Coordinator Governance and peace, KfW Pakistan, Mr. Nafees Ahmad Khan, General Manager PPAF, senior officials from PPAF and implementing partners namely National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) and Community Motivation and Development Organisation (CMDO). A large number of community members participated in inaugurations of these solar energy mini-grids.

PPAF is implementing hydropower & renewable energy (HRE) projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the financial support of the Government of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW). The mini-grid solar systems, implemented in small villages of districts Swabi and Karak, have a total capacity of 196kW and 185kW and jointly provide electricity from indigenous and clean energy resource to about 434 households within these districts. It is pertinent to mention here that 24 Solar mini-grid systems with total capacity of 119 kW in off-grid villages of Lakki Marwat have already been completed.

While inaugurating the Solar Mini-Grid Project in village Sarobi Ida Khel in union council Palosa Sar, district Karak, Mr. Michael Gruber, Division Head of Peace and Governance Program-KfW Frankfurt appreciated the efforts of PPAF and the implementing partners NRSP and CMDO for implementing these renewable energy projects in difficult and inaccessible terrains. He stated, “These community-managed solar lighting systems will not only meet basic lighting requirements but will also be available for village level businesses and local enterprises.This will increase the household income, adding value to local products and transforming lives of marginalized communities.”

Mrs. Maja Bott, Principal Project Manager, Peace Governance Project, KfW Germany said, “As these projects are located in difficult terrains, we have to make sure that the high quality of equipment and civil structures is used efficiently and in sustainable way to ensure long life of these projects”. She further urged the beneficiary communities to take ownership of operating and maintaining the solar systems”.

Mr. Nafees Ahmad Khan, General Manager, Renewable Energy Project, PPAF, acknowledged and thanked KfW and the local communities for their support in successful completion of the projects. He added, “PPAF is delighted to work on this project with KfW and to play active part in helping improve lives of people living in the areas which will ultimately improve socio-economic situation of the people and the overall development of the area”.

PPAF and KfW’s HRE project, comprising of two phases, is being implemented in 6 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa covering 8 union councils of districts including Swabi, Karak, Lakki Marwat, Buner, Upper Dir and Chitral. The project’s Phase-I initiated in 2013, and is planned to be completed in 2018. Phase-II will follow Phase-I and will span over three years. In phase-1 as many as 68 Solar Mini-Grid Systems with total capacity of 500 kW are planned to be implemented in remote and off-grid locations of Karak, Swabi and Lakki Marwat districts with additional micro hydropower plants with total capacity of 803 kW to be implemented in Chitral, Upper Dir and Buner districts.