‘5,000 MW of renewable energy in the pipeline’

ISLAMABAD: The Power Division, while providing an update on renewable energy projects to the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination on Thursday, noted that 5,000 MW of renewable energy was currently in the pipeline, with plans to add 15,000 to 19,000 MW of hydropower to the national grid.

The secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination said Pakistan was the third-largest importer of solar energy, yet the ministry lacked comprehensive data on solar energy’s contribution to the energy grid. The committee meeting was chaired by Sherry Rehman. Quratul Ain Marri underscored the importance of obtaining accurate data with regard to renewable energy projects to present it to the COP. She pointed out that even basic information such as names of relevant sites was missing.

Manzoor Ahmed raised concerns about the devastation caused by climate change in Balochistan, questioning whether the ministry had any relief program for the affected population. He inquired about the progress and strategy for the Green Balochistan initiative. The committee was informed that 39 agreements were signed and work with NGOs was ongoing. The meeting was told that a financial model for the Electric Vehicles Policy was being developed in collaboration with banks.

Romina Khurshid Alam reiterated the need to prevent settlements in flood-prone areas. She said the damage was minimized this year due to early warnings. Manzoor Ahmed sought data on melting glaciers, to which officials responded that glaciers in Pakistan remained stable, while those in India were melting. Officials said two million people in Sindh lived in vulnerable, flood-prone areas.

Additionally, the meeting discussed joint activities for the restoration of the landscape at Pir Sohawa as well as efforts to improve cleanliness and regulate hunting and wood cutting in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP).

The meeting was also attended by Naseema Ehsan, Bushra Anjum Butt, Dr Zarqa Soharwardy Taimur, the ministry additional secretary, the CDA chairman and senior officials.