‘Sindh set on becoming country’s energy epicenter’

By our correspondents
November 23, 2017
KARACHI: Sindh is determined to become the country’s energy hub as Pakistan transitions towards cleaner energy resources to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels for improved climate sustainability, an official said on Wednesday.
“Contrary to the perception, renewable energy was a reliable as well as a cheaper source and the government of Sindh was committed to tap all available resources,” Rashid Hussain Kazi, Special Secretary Sindh Energy Department, said while speaking at International Wind Energy Summit 2017.
“The world has no choice other than switching to reneweables as fossil fuels are not the future of energy anymore.”
Kazi said wind farms having a cumulative capacity of 780 MW were already operating in the province and similar capacity farms would come online by the end of next year.
“Sindh has a potential to generate 50,000 MW of wind energy and government is extending all-out support and facilitation to attract more investment in the sector,” the special secretary said.
Rolf Michael, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, explained the Danish wind energy model, suggesting it could be implemented in Pakistan. “Political commitment and favourable policy framework will attract sizeable strategic investment in the sector.”
Michael added cost of renewable energy was steadily decreasing while cost of fossil fuels would eventually start to rise again. “Transition towards renewable would provide new business opportunities and climate sustainability,” he said.
Alvaro Bilbao, CEO Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, said geographical diversification was allowing growth in emerging and mature markets. “Asia is the fastest growing region with cumulative annual growth rate of 7.5 percent in the last 20 years, while the demand for energy is even higher,” Bilbao said and predicted rising energy demand in emerging markets would be easily met by renewables.
Zafar Sobani, chairman advisory committee International Wind Energy Summit 2017, said Pakistan had suffered a lot due to energy shortages.