UNIDO, NUST join hands to develop first Biomass Cluster

Stakeholders agree upon a cluster that supports shared knowledge

Key stakeholders including international development organization and an energy centre at the national science and technology varsity agreed to work on building the country’s first biomass cluster for sustainable development.

This was discussed during the inaugural consultative meeting at the US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) under the banner of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) programme for promoting sustainable energy production and the use of biomass in Pakistan.

There was healthy participation from government and non-government sectors, private companies, academic and research institutes, international agencies and financial institutions.

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Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Punjab Bio Energy Company Limited (PBECL), SBP Banking Services Corporation (SBP-BSC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), Ministry of Food Security and Research, SAARC Energy Center (SEC), Asia Foundation, Punjab University, DESCON and Ali Engineering were amongst the prominent participants who provided their valuable suggestions for the development and operation of a sustainable biomass cluster.

All participants agreed upon the need of a cluster that supports a shared knowledge and data repository which is easily accessible by all stakeholders and provides small-medium enterprises - and farmers-friendly tools, templates and apps promoting ease of doing business.

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The stakeholders stated that such measures are inevitable for an accelerated penetration of biomass-generated green energy in Pakistan.

During the workshop, stakeholders discussed the scope and services of the cluster, its sustainability and operational strategy.

All stakeholders emphasized on E3 (energy, environment and economy) for sustainable societal and national development and appreciated USPCAS-E and UNIDO’s endeavours for promotion of green energy in Pakistan. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2019.