Senate panel discusses power conservation

Stresses use of efficient technology to save electricity

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology on Tuesday discussed the use of efficient technology to conserve electricity.

A meeting of the committee took up various issues including the ratification of the nomination of Senator Professor Dr Mehr Taj Roghani as member of the board of governors of the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology.

During the meeting, chaired by Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, the committee was briefed on the working of Intellectual Property Organisation. The meeting commenced with a detailed overview of the point of order from Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, which had been raised in the house on August 26, 2020, regarding the importance of reducing electricity consumption in Pakistan. Khattak briefed the Senate committee on the difference between energy consumption in summer and winter seasons, which amounted to a difference of 17,000 megawatts.

He pointed out that the major issue was the use of fans and appliances with one-star rating, which was disastrous in terms of energy consumption. He stressed the need for adopting the star rating system, which was prevalent in the rest of the world. Furthermore, he was of the view that electric vehicles should be introduced.

The major challenge to that, as highlighted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, was the reluctance of industry to adopt the related technology due to higher costs.

Consumers would also be hesitant and would not embrace the technology due to price hike. The committee was informed that these appliances would not burden the consumers if government subsidy was paid. The committee directed the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to formulate standards for adopting the star rating system and revert to the committee at the earliest.

After detailed deliberation on the issue, the committee directed the Ministry of Science and Technology secretary to consult all the stakeholders and present a report in the next meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2020.

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