Letter reference to Bahshir's related to the energy issue in Chitral

This refers to the letter from Bashir to the Chitral Times, dated April 5, 2007, regarding the need of establishing an autonomous Chitral Power Company in Chitral to face the future challenges of shortage and breakdown of electricity in Chitral. We appreciate Bashir�s concern related to the energy issues in Chitral. The idea has already been in focus for the last few years, but with broader vision rather than responding to emergency situations. A combination of young Engineers and Other professionals with diversity of experience have established a power company with the name of Green Alternative Power (GAP) Private Limited. The vision of the company is to create an enabling environment for the present and future generations to sustain their livelihood and to develop beyond, in an environmentally safe manner, and the focus is on harnessing the renewable energy sources of the area

GAP is a Private Limited company based in Chitral with a variety of services related to the implementation, production and distribution of energy. The idea of establishing GAP draws on the pioneering efforts of its members in the region with the aim of providing clean, affordable electricity to the population using water as the source of energy. With enough experience in the implementation and management of hydel stations the members have decided to enter the energy market as a business entity to produce green energy for the sustainable growth of Chitral and Pakistan and to meet the next generation energy requirements.

The vision of GAP upholds the national and international interests, which focus on renewable and environmentally friendly energy sources, and GAP responds to the Government of Pakistan�s first policy on renewable sources of energy, which offers attractive incentives to investors willing to exploit this environment-friendly but largely unexplored sector especially for power generation. GAP�s activities will not only provide base to carry forward national policy of renewable energy, but will also help the local people face the energy crises. With the experience of installing and maintaining more than 200 micro hydels and many mini hydels in Chitral and Afghanistan the team is set to go for larger projects on megawatts and to work on the next generation energy solutions for sustainable livelihood and to make energy work for the poor.

So far we have been in contact with national and international Organization, NGOs, and private investors working in renewable energy sector. We have been highlighting the hydro potentials of Chitral, which, according to some estimates, are more than 4000 mega watts. Experiences from recent snow fall in Chitral and the consequent energy breakdown show that the communities with stronger institutional landscape do not wait for government but rather respond to the crises situation proactively. We therefore, plan to include the local villagers in energy management using the Local Support Organisations (LSOs) forum and local power companies. To respond to the crises situation like the recent snow fall GAP has also planned to establish a private service providing agency in Chitral.

Engr. Fazli Rabbi
CEO
Green Alternative Power (Pvt.) Limited