- Ensuring continuity must for Pakistan’s renewable energy success
- Bridging energy gaps with local investments, foreign partnerships, and accessible solutions for all
Interview with Mr. Altaf Hussain — an analyst
PAGE: How would you comment on the progress of the alternate energy sector in Pakistan?
Altaf Hussain: Wind, solar and biogas are the alternate energy sources. The energy sector of Pakistan is in many crises and facing many challenges and financial rationing. Pakistan depends mostly on hydropower to fulfill its needs. Not only the increase in population but also the new technological changes and modern ways of work have compelled countries to produce more power so as to keep running life and work. The increase in demand for power has compelled to use of many alternate energy sources which are much cheaper than the hydropower source.
Keeping in view this drastic requirement for power, the Government of Pakistan took the initiative in 2020, as per the report, most of the renewable energy of Pakistan comes from hydroelectric sources and the Prime Minister of Pakistan has taken the initiative to induct 20% renewable energy by the year 2025 and 30% by the year 2030. It is more important for a country to study its geography and climate to use alternate energy sources like wind, solar, and biogas.
As we see the geographical structure and climate conditions of Pakistan it seems more suitable for wind, solar and biogas. So, the government must keep this in view that which sources are feasible and will be more beneficial in which areas keeping all the financial and other challenges in mind. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, the new government doesn’t pursue the previous government’s project at all. The government should make educated and mature decisions like if the projects taken by previous governments are beneficial for the country must try to complete, expand and upgrade so the requirements get fulfilled and energy problems get reduced.
PAGE: What is your standpoint on local and foreign investment in alternative energy projects?
Altaf Hussain: As the energy requirements have increased drastically so the government has taken the initiative locally by making investments in alternative energy projects and also trying its best to bring investment in power sectors from foreign as well. Furthermore, the government must introduce plans to the public to achieve and use easily the source products of the alternate energy. Government must facilitate and make it easy for the public to purchase solar system and where it is feasible government must provide wind turbines for power production. And also government must consider the cost of foreign investment and its benefits in the long term.
PAGE: What must be done to promote alternative energy to avert enormous energy import bill?
Altaf Hussain: When we see the enormous import bill we must not only see the huge amount of the bill but we must consider the benefits and we must consider our capacity and financial, technical and other feasibility in our land. We must consider how we can get rid of this burden and attain the technology and the required skills. And the government must also consider the cheapest and fastest route to imports.
Unfortunately, the one main reason for the enormous import bill of our country is that we are importing goods etc from the countries which are far away from us. We have to incur huge freight charges and it also takes time to reach our port. Geographically, we are located in such a key location that we are bestowed with four weather, hot water sea, fertile and rich in minerals land and we have attached borders with such neighbours that we can easily fulfill our energy needs in cheap cost. The government must review the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project which is a game changer for the fate of Pakistan.
PAGE: How do you view the government policies supporting the alternate energy sector?
Altaf Hussain: After studying reports discussing the government policies, it is appreciable and visionary steps taken by the government it must be considered that the projects started by one government must be pursued, completed, upgraded and expanded by the following government. It is very unfortunate in Pakistan that projects started by one government was not pursued and all the resources, time and money wasted. Putting in a nutshell, now the policies must be made according to the challenges and their lasting effects. The policies must be real base problem-solving, economically cheaper, and beneficial in the long run.