Federal Minister for Water and Power Ch Ahmed Mukhtar has directed to expedite completion of 1000 MW wind power generation projects so that cheaper electricity could be added in the national grid at the earliest.

He gave these directions while presiding over 26th Board meeting of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) here on Tuesday.The Minister stated that electricity generation from indigenous resources is priority of the government and various steps have been taken to attract investment in this sector. Upfront tariff has already been given to the wind power projects and same is being announced for solar projects.

The board took up various points of agenda and approved grid code for wind power projects.As per new grid code, the share of wind power generation has been increased from 5 % to 20 % in the national grid energy mix. The meeting was informed that one more wind project of 50 MW has been completed and on test run to be inaugurated next month. Three projects of 150 MW are under construction while 12 projects of 1100 mw would achieve financial close by 2013-14. The meeting also approved merger of three wind power projects of 30 MW.

The meeting also appreciated all the officials of the AEDB who performed their role in the completion of wind power projects. The meeting also appreciated the performance of AEDB for expediting the wind and solar power projects.