Technology to help cope with Faisalabad’s energy crisis

City to have novel building that is self-sufficient for its energy needs.

FAISALABAD: As a harrowing energy crisis cripples life in the country’s textile hub, at least one business entity has come up with an ingenious solution to the problem. Faisalabad is soon to have a first of its kind building that relies only on itself for its energy needs.

Tauseef Enterprises – a leading conglomerate based in the city – is constructing Asia’s first energy self-sufficient building at an estimated cost of Rs2 billion, says group Chairman Chaudhry Salamat Ali. He says that the worst-ever energy crisis has compelled the company to replicate successful models of architectural design currently in vogue in the West.

After repatriating its investments from Bangladesh, the group has again shifted its focus to the problems of Faisalabad. The solution: it is now constructing a state-of-the-art building which will function independent of external gas and power supplies. The 21 story building will be used both for residential and commercial purposes, according Ali.


He explained that the building will not require external gas and electricity connections, as various internally installed systems will produce all required energy. Solar panels, wind turbines and thermal technologies will be incorporated in the construction and design of the building. The temperature of the building will be regulated through a central control room. The building will be divided into separate blocks for markets, offices and residences.

Ali said the idea was borrowed from buildings in Germany and Italy. He said that Pakistan needs such commercial and residential buildings due to the unending energy crisis. To promote self-reliant buildings in Europe, governments in the bloc are subsidising construction costs by nearly 10-20%.

“The project will be completed in less than two years,” according to Omero Marchetti – an Italian engineer contracted for the job. “This will provide a new roadmap for Pakistan, which is environmentally-friendly and economically viable as well.”

He added that the building is a onetime investment, as it will incur no utility costs after its completion. “It may be expensive to build as compared to common buildings, but is much cheaper if we consider the long term and the savings on utility bills while keeping the energy crisis in mind.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2013.

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