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10th Power Generation Conference Pakistan’s renewable energy production reaches the record level of 1568 MWs (PR) Pakistan’s renewable energy production for the first time have been increased to record level of 1568 MWs excluding hydroelectricity as identification of five more wind corridors in Balochistan could add several more thousand megawatts of clean energy to the national grid. Chief Executive Officer of Alternative Energy Development Board Amjad Ali Awan while chairing the concluding session of 10th Power Generation Conference. The Energy Update in collaboration with Private Power Infrastructure Board and Alternative Energy Development Board organized the conference. The AEDB chief said that renewable energy production in Pakistan would increase to 1870 MWs by the end of current year. He said that wind power production through only one wind corridor in Sindh was 938 MWs as this wind-based energy generation would increase to 1240 MWs later this year. He said that at present hydro-based power projects accounted for 38 percent produced in the country as the same should be increased to 45 percent in coming years. “If Denmark has set the target to stop consumption of fossil fuels by 2050 then Pakistan has all the potential of renewable energy to set a similar target,” said the AEDB chief. Earlier speaking at the conference, Acting German Ambassador in Pakistan Dr Jens Kokish said that Germany and Pakistan had massive potential to collaborate with each other in the renewable energy sector as this collaboration would go a long way in resolving energy crisis of the latter on a sustainable basis. He said the German energy model posed an excellent example for Pakistan for adoption as Germany swiftly overcome its power crisis by maximizing power generation through renewable means while gradually lessening reliance on conventional means of power generation that harm the environment. He said that Germany once faced similar challenge as currently being encountered by Pakistan in the energy sector. “We transformed our energy sector to increase sustainability of the power being supplied toour people. We changed our energy mix as we turned towards renewable energy and other innovative technologies,” he said. He said that during favourable weather conditions, renewable energy accounted for up to 90 per cent power produced in Germany. He said that Germany was going to shut down all its nuclear power plants by the year 2022 under its drive to promote use of clean and renewable energy for power production. He said that Pakistan should exploit the option of doing renewable energy projects of hybrid nature so to utilize maximum potential of wind and solar power available across the country. Managing-Director of PPIB Shahjahan Mirza said that per capita consumption of electricity in Pakistan was 1/5th of average per capita consumption of electricity in rest of the world. “This means we have to supply more electricity to raise standard of living of our people,” he said. He said that Pakistan should go for a wiser fuel mix using all its indigenous energy resources including coal, hydroelectricity, and renewable means to produce electricity on a sustainable basis. He said that PPIB had facilitated completion of new energy projects in private sectors capable of 8,200 MWs electricity. He said that by the year 2021, PPIB would ensure completion of private sector power projects having potential of producing 15,000 MWs power. Secretary Planning and Development Commission Shoaib Ahmed Saddiqui said the energy demand always increased with increasing population of the country. The incumbent government had done a lot in power generation sector and now transmission capacity was being enhanced. He said many investors were coming to invest in the energy sector of Pakistan. He urged the business community to come forward and join hands to provide affordable and clean energy to the consumers. Terming the conference encouraging, the Secretary expressed the hope that the organizers would continue this practice for finding amicable solution to ever increasing energy demand. Appreciating the organizers, he emphasized for holding more such conference to create awareness among the masses about energy issues. Shoaib Ahmed also stressed the need for water-integrated plan to construct small hydro projects which could easily be exploited. Chief Marketing Officer Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) Brig (retired) Tariq Lakhair said Pakistan is blessed with tremendous potentials of indigenous energy resources and it has seventh largest coal reserves in the world. He said Thar Block II could alone generate 5,000 megawatt (MW) electricity for next 50 years. He said 80 per cent work on Thar Coal power plant has already been completed and its first unit would start generation by December 2018. He said unfortunately in past, mafia create hurdles in exploiting indigenous resources. Managing Director Siemens (Pakistan) Mr. Helmut Von Struve said affordable energy would be foundation of social and stable Pakistan. He was of the view that energy landscape has gradually been changing to renewable energy (RE). He said Siemens Pakistan is technology partner in ditigization with Pakistan energy sector. Prof Dr Faiz Chaudhary narrated the power sector challenge and their way forward. He said we must follow the right path to get out of the power crisis. He was of the views that after dis-bundling of WAPDA, codes and policy guidelines were not followed in order to provide affordable and reliable electricity. CEO Star Hydro Waqar Ahmed said all future energy policies must have backing of all stakeholders. He pointed out that hydel was suitable solution to cheap electricity. He said the country’s economy would directly benefit from hydel generation and it would also help contribute to the development of the area. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman LNG Pakistan Ltd Dr Manzoor Ahmed said Pakistan had lost around $ 100 billion on account of energy crisis. He said an amount of $ 2-3 billion could be saved annually by converting furnace power plants on RLNG. Earlier In his welcome address, Chairman Organizing Committee Energy Update Magazine, Muhammad Naeem Qureshi thanked all the distinguished guests and said the conference has been regularly organizing for the last 9 years. Mr. Anser Ahmed Khan CEO for ENERGAS LNG Terminal, Mr. Sarim Sheikh, CEO/ Country Head – GE Pakistan, Mr. Saad Ahmed Qazi, Energy Business Group – Mitsubishi Corporation Pakistan, Mr. Amjad Ali Awan, CEO – Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), Mr. Zeeshan Ashfaq, Research & Policy Analyst – World Wind Energy Association, Engr. Dr. M. Nawaz Akhtar, Programme Leader (Technology Transfer) SAARC Energy Centre, Mr. N.A. Zuberi, Deputy CEO China Three Gorges & others also addressed on the occasion.
