Quality control in renewable energy urged

Lack of consumer confidence key hurdle to promoting clean energy.

ISLAMABAD:

The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) has underlined the need for strict quality control and development of standards for renewable energy equipment, which will build confidence of consumers.

“The Renewable Energy Association of Pakistan will play its due role in ensuring international quality standards, while importing, manufacturing and selling renewable energy equipment in Pakistan,” said AEDB CEO Arif Alauddin.

He was speaking at the conclusion of the 1st International Exhibition for Alternative Energy and Energy Efficiency, organised by the association, at the Jinnah Convention Centre here on Saturday.

The renewable energy association is a group of over 150 importers, vendors and manufacturers of renewable energy equipment, which is taking part in policy-making, planning and financial measures.

Alauddin said the three-day exhibition, visited by thousands of people, had helped in building consumer confidence in renewable energy equipment, which was one of the major hurdles in fast-track deployment of such technologies in the country. During the event, the visitors saw the performance and utility of these technologies and equipment.

Discussing the higher initial and capital cost of renewable energy equipment, he said the issue must be seen in the perspective of needs, effectiveness, availability in abundance, indigenisation, increasing cost of fossil fuel and fast decreasing reserves, and healthy environmental impact. “Future lies in developing renewable energy technologies,” he stressed.

Pakistani entrepreneurs are already manufacturing and assembling various types of equipment, such as heat pumps, solar panels, small hydro turbines, small wind turbines, solar cookers, solar water heaters and other allied equipment.

At the exhibition, experts made presentations on renewable energy policy, wind, hydro and solar power, solar tube wells, solar air conditioning, biodiesel, biogas, geothermal and carbon credits.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 31^st, 2011.