Korean Ambassador says in this project Korea is providing a $9.5m grant to ultimately contribute to achievement of SDG 7

Naveed Ahmad Khan

ISLAMABAD: The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Pakistan Suh Sangpyo has ensured continuous support to Pakistan.

He said this while addressing the audience on the occasion of “Groundbreaking ceremony for ‘Establishment of PAK-KOREA Testing Laboratory for PV Modules & Allied Equipment” held here on Friday.The Country Director Seokwoong Yang from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Agha Hassan Baloch Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Ghulam Muhammad Memon, Secretary of Science and Technology (MOST) and Director General Dr. Ata Ur Rehman from Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET) , large number of experts of renewal energy and media persons attended the event.

The Ambassador further said that in this project Korea is providing a 9.5 million USD grant to ultimately contribute to the achievement of SDG 7 (Ensuring access of Energy). This will be the first PV testing laboratory in Pakistan. This will be the first PV testing laboratory in Pakistan.

The Minister of MOST Agha Hassan Baloch thanked the Republic of Korea and KOICA for initiating the intervention for the PV testing laboratory in Pakistan. Dr. Ata Ur Rehman Director General, PCRET thanked KOICA for the support and Mr. Seokwoong Yang Director General, KOICA assured continuous support for the renewable energy sector.

The PV testing laboratory will contribute to improve the quality, access to clean energy, climate change response and promote solar energy industry in Pakistan while curtailing the sub-standard imported and locally developed PV modules for the customers who use PV modules. The building will be completed within 12 months. Project scope includes construction of building, provision of equipment and capacity building programs.

The Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technology (PCRET) is establishing the subject solar panel testing laboratory under a grant-aid project from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).  The solar panel testing laboratory is planned to achieve the status of Certification Body Testing Laboratory (CBTL) in collaboration with Pakistan Standards & Quality Control Authority (PSQCA). The testing laboratory after its completion will be the first testing laboratory of the country having CBTL status.