ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $250 million funding to be used for wind energy generation in Sindh and hydro power projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The signing of the $200 million financing arrangement between the ADB and the government of Pakistan is expected next week as all the paperwork and the feasibility study has been completed to establish plants estimated to generate up to 250 megawatts of electricity.

According to an ADB report, wind turbines and related installations are being established in Thatta district – a region that falls in the high wind corridor. It says that the land to be used by the project has already been leased to the Alternative Energy Development Board.

The report says that the transmission towers will be erected on uninhabited land and it would not cause displacement of the area people and would not affect any infrastructure or the sources of livelihood of local people.

The transmission lines would be established by the National Transmission and Despatch Company.The ADB approved two hydro power projects to generate 30MW of electricity in Gilgit-Baltistan and work is in progress to complete studies for four other power projects.

The bank has finalised $50 million funding for 26MW hydro-power project in Skardu and 4MW project in Chilas. Both projects have negligible resettlement impact and minimal permanent land acquisition. There will be no environmental impact of power generation. The power transmission lines will pass through barren land.

The report said that environmental assessment had been made in line with the policies of the government of Pakistan and the bank.