ISLAMABAD:
Political leaders, experts and civil society activists have urged the government to revolutionise the country’s energy mix for a sustainable, green future and affordable energy for consumers.
During recent years, the prices of electricity have gone up, making it unaffordable for the consumers.
At the “State of Energy Security and Just Energy Transition” dialogue, the political leaders, experts and civil society activists issued a unanimous call for the implementation of sustainable policies aimed at facilitating a just transition towards green energy, which would address the current economic, environmental and energy crises.
They sounded a warning, saying that Pakistan had become one of the world’s most vulnerable countries and that only sustainable policies could effectively address the pressing challenge.
Participants of the dialogue, organised by the Indus Consortium, which brought together representatives from various political parties, underscored the urgency of reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based energy and integrating a higher proportion of renewable energy sources into Pakistan’s energy mix.
Speaking at the seminar, Senator Farhatullah Babar underlined the necessity of transitioning away from natural gas-based electricity generation as demand for gas continued to surge in residential and industrial sectors.
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He drew inspiration from the model introduced by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who pioneered 142 solar parks, ensuring cost-free electricity for the populace.
The senator proposed the adoption of a similar approach in Pakistan for setting up community-led solar parks as a replacement for the outdated model of solar generation through distribution networks managed by power distribution companies (DISCOs).
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Dr Khadim Hussain revealed that the ANP had finalised its election manifesto, which included the development of small/ micro hydropower plants and solar parks in urban centres such as Peshawar and Mardan.
He lamented that over the past decade around eight million people in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had lost their jobs due to the closure of industrial units caused by power shortages.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2023.
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