Islamabad: Technology transfer would play a key role in promoting much needed renewable energy transition in Pakistan. The speakers said this during an online meeting ‘Potential role of Chinese and Pakistan leaders in renewable energy transition of Pakistan’ organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), in collaboration with Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO)here on Thursday.
Senior manager in Development Bureau of GEIDCO, Ms Zhang Xuan, while highlighting the role of various stakeholders, termed it highly important to promote and sustain green and low carbon sustainable development. Therefore, the government, private sector and civil society needs to work together to build this sustainable transition, she added.
“Pakistan is focusing on using indigenous energy sources and having diversified energy supply sources in accordance to CPEC long term plan,” Mr Hassan Daud, Chief Executive Officer, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, said this while elaborating the importance of such initiatives.
He added further that the renewables projects are thriving in Pakistan. The technology transfer and relocation of manufacturing units for solar power projects are of paramount importance to the sustainable clean energy transition in Pakistan. Therefore, the government is willing to support the Chinese state owned and private companies in the best manner possible, he said.
Acting Division Director of Power Planning Research at GEIDCO Dr Gao Yi, informed the participants that both SDPI and GEIDO are looking forward to clean energy transition of Pakistan. The overall trend of renewable energy in South Asia, she said, is set to bring a significant drop in the cost of energy in the coming 30 years and the subsequent increase in energy demand will result in significant economic development in South Asia with huge potential of energy trade.
Tanveer Mirza, Director United Energy Power Limited (UEP Wind) Pakistan, was of view that the renewable energy sector is relatively new in Pakistan but has developed at a very fast pace and have been luring in investment from multilateral and other financial institutions. Likewise, the renewable energy sector in terms of policy and implementation has a lot of gaps. He added further that the potential for manufacturing of Solar PVs and LED lighting is greatly available for local consumptions and export.
“Stable establishment of long-term relationships and partnerships between the two countries is the need of hour,” Mr Shao Shan, Director of International Business, TBEA Company, China, commented. He added further that the new technologies that may be transferred, we need to research good and best practices throughout the world with regards to contracts and agreements.
Dr Imran Khalid, Head of Environment and Climate Change Unit, SDPI, earlier, highlighted that the greenhouse gas emissions and energy availability need to be considered in drafting of policy for quick implementation energy transition in Pakistan. Think tanks need to provide technical and social research support, communication support to ensure the clean energy transition is sustainable and intra and inter country collaboration, he added.
Senior Manager from Euro-Asia region headquarters, Power China, Cheng Qiang, shared with the participants that the Power China is working in Pakistan in renewable energy sector of Pakistan and has commissioned eleven wind power projects with active corporate social responsibility (CSR) as well.
Dr Fiaz Chaudary- Energy Informatics Group, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Pakistan, informed the participants that Pakistan has a diverse demand supply pattern and is needed to fill this gap through more focus on industrialization.
Earlier, Dr Hina Aslam, Research Fellow Energy and Head of China Study Centre, SDPI, elaborated that a green and low carbon development pathway is the key to taming climate crisis, impacting human lives and livelihoods. Other speakers included Lin Qi, Senior Manager from Nari International Business Company, State Grid Corporation of China and Zhou Tianxiang, Director Longi New Solar Panel producer in China, also shared their views with the participants on diverse aspect of the topic.