The experts from NEECA, academicians and technical experts on energy sector engaged with the students and faculty at Air University to raise awareness regarding energy efficiency and conservation while informing them how they can play their role in making Pakistan Energy Efficient by switching to energy efficient appliances and introducing those in their social circle, homes and daily life.
The seminar was followed by distinct speakers from the energy sector, including the Managing Director NEECA; National Project Manager, NEECA; Vice President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), and Head of Power & Renewable Energy Research Wing (NUST).
All speakers highlighted the importance of Energy Efficiency and Conservation, in addition to its relation with policy, innovation and climate change mitigation.
MD NEECA Dr. Sardar Mohazzam, said that NEECA came in to being in 2016. Since then, NEECA is trying to innovate the system in all sectors of economy to minimize the crisis of energy and to make Pakistan energy efficient. For this purpose we are working on our phased approach for institutionalization, operation and implementation. We have successfully completed the first phase and now gradually entering into the second that is the operation. He further said that we have updated NEECAs strategic plan and have set goals for next five years. He added that we warmly welcome the students, academia, research community and think tanks to come forward, and work with us, as NEECA is the best platform for all energy efficiency focused groups.
National Project Manager, NEECA Mr. Ahmad Hasnain highlighted that 15 percent of the world electricity is consumed by lightings and same is the case with Pakistan. He mentioned that we have to leave the legacy for our future generation by saving energy as much as we can. NEECA is working to introduce energy efficient options for lighting in Pakistan and we have almost achieved the target by introducing the LED lights and lamps. The plan is to replicate the idea with other appliances/devices as well. He said that convincing people to switch to the energy efficient devices is quite a huge task but if we would try to bring changes in the behavior of the users, replacing the high energy consuming devices will not be a problem.
Marryam Khalid, Manager Legal for PEECA shared that Pakistan has signed the Paris agreement and is bound to minimize the carbon emission by 2030. Working on energy efficiency is the key area to not only ensure energy availability but bring reduction in carbon emissions also. She further added that efficient energy is the way to either boost up the energy as a part of culture and understanding of how to conserve and efficiently consume energy. She added that, bringing and implementing laws for energy efficiency would only be possible when we ensure their understanding for the common people. She highlighted that we have introduced AC testing lab for AC verification in Punjab for the first time in Pakistan.
Mr. Shahraiz Ashraf Malik, V.P. for Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI), brought up that energy is the major resource in our economy, especially for industry. He said that affordable energy would enable the local industry to compete in the international market. He informed that we have installed a solar plant in Rawalpindi, which is a role model for others sectors, while helping the government to move towards generating energy efficient economy.
Mr. K.B Ali, from Ministry of Industry and Production (MOIP), suggested that we must adopt best practices to conserve energy. Selection of energy efficient appliances/devices would lead Pakistan towards energy efficiency and conservation. He added that there is a need to aware the public to only buy energy efficient devices/appliances. Pakistan has signed several agreements and aims to produce 30 percent of energy from renewable energy sources by the end of 2030.
The National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA), is an Authority established under the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and serves as a federal focal agency mandated for initiating, catalyzing and coordinating all Energy Conservation activities in different sectors of economy. NEECA is in the process of revising national energy efficiency and conservation policy; and revitalizing energy measures in the country.