Pakistan seeks Danish investment in renewable energy

Urges envoy to assist in setting up renewable energy institute

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has pitched renewable energy at investors of Denmark, which generated nearly half of its power consumption from wind energy in 2017, saying it is a fast expanding sector and with the opening of competitive bidding, it will offer best opportunities.

Federal Power Division Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari highlighted Pakistan's renewable energy potential in a meeting with Denmark Ambassador Rolf Holmboe on Friday.



Matters relating to cooperation in the field of energy between the two countries came under discussion.

Ali Mushtaq, Commercial Counsellor from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark and high officials of the Power Division were present in the meeting.

The minister apprised the ambassador of steps taken by the government to meet energy-sector challenges. "There are a lot of investment opportunities for the entrepreneurs of Denmark in Pakistan," he said. The government has decided to call competitive bidding for renewable energy generation in order to utilise resources for the benefit of consumers.

The minister sought assistance of the envoy for the setting up of a renewable energy institute. He said Pakistan's new energy policy was at final stages and it would determine demand and supply scenario in the country.

It was also shared that a renewable energy expert would be nominated from Denmark to interact with the electricity policy and plan team and to collaborate on setting up the renewable energy institute in one of the universities in Pakistan. The minister acknowledged that Denmark had extensive experience in managing the transition from cost-plus to competitive bidding in the energy sector.

The Danish ambassador agreed on extending the bilateral relationship and to work jointly on different sectors, particularly electricity.



"We want to be the partner of Pakistan to meet energy challenges," he said and acknowledged that the power sector was growing fast in the South Asian country.

He highlighted that Denmark had greater experience in renewable energy and close working between the two sides would boost the capacity of energy sector in Pakistan. The ambassador assured the minister that energy cooperation would be enhanced with further assistance to Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2018.

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