Underscoring the need for strategic energy cooperation between Pakistan and Denmark, both the countries have formed a joint technical working group to develop terms of reference (TORs) for government-to-government (G2G) agreements focusing on energy audit and demand forecast of the Asian nation.
This transpired on Monday when Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan held a virtual meeting with Danish technical energy team along with Lis Rosenholm, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Power Tabish Gauhar and Secretary Power Division Zafar Ali Bhutta also joined the meeting.
During the meeting, both sides deliberated upon the findings and recommendations by Danish energy team on G2G-collaboration between Denmark and Pakistan in the energy sector in view of the newly approved Alternative Energy Policy.
At the onset of the meeting, the Danish technical team presented the report on technical support to Pakistan in renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and underscored the need for strategic energy cooperation between the two countries.
The minister while acknowledging the lead role of Denmark in clean and green energy at the global level said that Pakistan too has embarked upon tapping the huge indigenous potential of renewable energy. He said that Pakistan’s new Renewable Energy Policy would bring opportunities for investors due to transparent policies of the current government.
He said that the government had set ambitious targets to introduce 25 per cent renewable energy by 2025, and 30 per cent by end of 2030 including 45 per cent share of hydel power generation and 10 per cent of nuclear energy into the energy mix of the country.
Speaking at the virtual meeting, the minister said that the incumbent government has strong political commitment and requires innovative ways for expanding energy access, promoting renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency to meet the growing needs of energy in the country.
The minister also stressed to join hands on projects like manufacturing of wind turbines and solar panels, reducing energy wastage, and enhancing transmission capacity of the system. He formed a joint technical working group to develop TORs for G2G agreements focusing on energy audit and demand forecast in the country.
The Danish ambassador, while appreciating the government’s commitment to refurbish the energy sector, said that the new policy is more transparent as it provides a level playing field for all. She said that the G2G agreement would be based on equal partnership and its prime focus is to set up a joint energy group for exchange of experience at both policy and operational level, so that both the countries would establish long-term strategic collaboration in the energy sector.
