Energy crisis: Experts call for integrated policy
Experts pointed to the compartmentalised approach to the energy issue.
Experts at a workshop on Wednesday called for formulation of an integrated policy keeping sources, resources, costs and sustainability in view to resolve energy crisis.
They described the present policy as a collection of power point slides and pointed to the compartmentalised approach to the energy issue.
The workshop on “Solutions for Energy Crisis in Pakistan” was organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF).
The participants unanimously agreed that there were gaps between policy and implementation which needed to be removed to find a solution to the crisis.
Moreover there was a need to differentiate between energy and power. Pakistan did have a power policy but a comprehensive energy policy covering all aspects such as hydrocarbons (oil and gas sectors), alternative energy resources and nuclear energy was lacking.
Ms Ameena Sohail, energy expert and corporate lawyer pointed to the institutional disarray such as was seen in opposition to privatization and insolvency of the power sector. There was serious control paralysis. What was needed was national vision and mission to meet the challenges.
Dr Waqar Ahmad of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) speaking on investment and funding in the energy sector described the bottlenecks and called for rationalisation of SROs and cutting down cumbersome procedural formalities.
Dr Shaukat Hameed Khan, Coordinator General Comstech, speaking on resource mobilisation analysed the issue of fuels and finances in respect of different options particularly coal and the nuclear power.
Dr Shaheen Akhter favoured greater reliance on hydel power through run of the river projects. Mustansar Billah Hussain emphasized the involvement of universities and education institutions in promoting awareness about conservation.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2014.