Experts stress need for shift towards green energy

Experts have agreed that the time is ripe for Pakistan to shift towards green energy and called on the government to devise policies to facilitate stakeholders in exploring additional avenues for sustainable renewable energy.

At a webinar titled “Clean Energy Transition in Pakistan” on Wednesday, Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) Managing Director Shah Jahan Mirza said power and energy sectors of Pakistan were not in a desirable shape due to various factors.

He covered various aspects of the clean energy landscape in Pakistan. “Our natural resources, especially gas reserves, are depleting rapidly, therefore we need to act now keeping in view the future needs of energy,” he said. “The processes for private sector investment in green energy also need to be streamlined.”

Green Belt Road Initiative Centre Founding Director Christoph Nedopil was of the view that it was the perfect time for Pakistan to move towards renewable energy. He stressed that a policy should be evolved to facilitate green investment in the sector.

Highlighting the possible role of China in Pakistan’s renewable energy sector, he underlined that secure investment would remain a key concern for private sector initiatives. Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) Energy Research Fellow Dr Hina Aslam shared findings of an SDPI research report on the energy sector of Pakistan.

Public and private investments, integrated water resource management, tapping renewable energy resources, gender-based equality and women empowerment-related initiatives were some of the critical issues covered in the report.

She added that the report highlighted the importance of integrated energy plans, stakeholders’ involvement and renewable energy resources besides providing a critical insight into policy initiatives.

Engro Energy representative Dr Fatima Khushnood stressed the importance of measures needed to ensure environmental sustainability.

Explaining the role of private sector in energy resource development, she said that its part could enhance further through right policy initiatives and facilitation.

Ministry of Climate Change official Syeda Hadika Jamshaid informed the webinar participants that Pakistan was working to reduce carbon emissions and renewable energy had an important role to play in achieving the objective.

Academic Mushtaq Gaadi and Dr Najeebullah from the University of Peshawar also shared their views and said that Pakistan needed a paradigm shift to move towards green energy.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2021.

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