US to help set up first renewable energy institute

LUMS expresses interest in housing the institute that will promote clean energy

ISLAMABAD: The United States would explore ways and means to assist the Power Division in establishing Pakistan’s first renewable energy institute and share expertise of the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory to help it work in line with international standards, the US envoy said.

“The US will also consider assisting Pakistan in framing the National Energy Policy and National Electricity Plan,” said Ambassador David Hale in a meeting with Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari on Tuesday.

Hale underscored the need for enhanced cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. He assured the minister that a focal person for energy would be appointed soon in the US embassy who would frequently interact with his counterpart in the Power Division.



The minister told the US envoy that the government had initiated interaction with all provinces for formulating the energy policy and electricity plan. In this regard, it will also take into consideration proposals of potential stakeholders including service providers.

He praised General Electric of the US for its ‘repowering initiative’ proposal which included conversion or rehabilitation of existing power generation units across Pakistan.



The minister underlined the need for close cooperation between Pakistan and the US in renewable energy, which was the only way forward to meet energy requirements of Pakistan. He also highlighted the progress made so far by the Power Division on establishing the renewable energy institute.

“Lums (Lahore University of Management Sciences) has expressed keen interest in housing the institute and has sent its proposal,” he revealed, adding the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) were evaluating proposals to pick the university that would accommodate the institute.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2018.

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