Energy-efficient brick kiln unveiled

Islamabad: The country's first energy-efficient, Zig Zag Brick Kiln was unveiled during a special ceremony at the Ministry of Climate Change here on Monday.

Climate Change Minister Mushahidullah Khan was the chief guest of the event, where owners of brick kilns from all over the country were in attendance. The minister said he was delight to see the brick kiln sector, which was a synonyms for black smoke pollution, had become environment-conscious and was ready to bring green revolution by changing the conventional brick kilns designs to energy efficient zig-zag kilns.

He said the conversion would create better working conditions of labour and surrounding community, help reduce coal consumption by 30-40% per kiln and bring down up to 80% the Particulate Matter emission, ensure more profit for brick owners, and double kiln production.

The minister said the operation of such kilns required special expertise for which the ministry and National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority would make sure that the International Center for Integrated Mountains & Development depute their trainers as soon as possible to mitigate the operational risks to get the desired results. He said there were about 18,000 operational brick kilns throughout Pakistan and the primary fuel of about 15,000 brick kilns is local coal.

"The conversion of all kilns to zig zag ones seems ideal but not impossible. The government will try its level best to address the needs of the brick kiln owners association for ensuring sufficient financial and technical support to be given to the brick kiln owners who are willing to change their brick kilns to zig zag design. The retrofitting will also help address the smog issues," he said.

He said the ministry and National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority with Green Climate Fund had already prepared a project amounting $1 million on Greening of Brick Kiln Sector of Pakistan covering various components for submission to Global Environment Facility and other financial resources shall also be explored to train local skilled manpower for smooth operations of kilns.

Ambassador of Nepal Sewa lamsal Adhikari, who was also in attendance, said her country would provide all support to kiln owners to move towards an environment-friendly kilns. The event was attended by Shoaib Khan Niazi. President All Pakistan Brick Kiln Owners Association, Her Managing Director & Chief National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority, Association members, media representatives and government officers.