Pakistan, Denmark launch green energy collaboration

Islamabad : The Government of Pakistan has adopted an ambitious policy for alternative and renewable energy (ARE) to transform Pakistan’s energy sector and generate 60% of all energy through clean and renewable sources by 2030.

To support Pakistan’s green transition, the Government of Denmark has entered into collaboration with Pakistan whereas the relevant technical authorities will exchange knowledge and the Danish authorities will provide technical assistance under the new the initiative, Danish Energy Transition Initiative (DETI). Federal Minister of Energy Hammad Azhar inaugurated the collaboration with the Ambassador of Denmark Lis Rosenholm and several high-level civil servants from relevant Pakistani and Danish energy authorities.

On this occasion, Ambassador Ms Rosenholm said, “We have taken note of the adopted policies and commitment of Pakistan toward a green transition. Denmark has the technical expertise, knowledge and solutions that can make a difference in their implementation to assist in ensuring reliable and sustainable energy at affordable prices. This new collaboration between Denmark and Pakistan can be a cornerstone in an enhanced bilateral engagement in the area of green energy.”

Through the initiative, Denmark will further enhance the technical competencies of the Ministry of Energy and Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) for energy planning and integration of additional renewable energy. It will also enlarge the capacities of the National Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) and National Power Construction Company (NPCC) to enhance regulatory frameworks to integrate fluctuating renewable energy. Furthermore, it will advance the work of the National Energy Efficiency & Conservative Authority (NEECA) to promote energy efficiency in Pakistan.

The new collaboration is based on technical advice to be delivered by the Danish Energy Agency that will bring four technical delegations to Pakistan incl. experts from the Danish Transmission System Operator, Energinet, and international consultants. They will conduct workshops and training to assist in improving the technical competencies of the Pakistani authorities as well as to exchange knowledge and “hands-on experience” from the Danish green transition. The initiative also aims to organize a study tour of the Pakistani authorities to Denmark, and arrange events with Danish companies, financial institutions and international donors to explore business/finance opportunities and address current Pakistani barriers as well as the necessary improvements for an efficient and green expansion of the energy production and transmission grid in Pakistan.

Facts about Danish strongholds energy, Denmark is a green the frontrunner in global climate action and a leader in the innovation of renewable energy and mitigation of climate change, ranking #1 in the world on climate change action (Environmental Performance Index, Yale University 2020).

The Danish target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent before 2030 and become climate neutral by 2050. Wind energy produced 46.9 per cent of the Danish power output in 2019 (that’s a world record) and 60.5 per cent of Danish electricity production derives from renewable sources. The Danish capital, Copenhagen, aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025 and Denmark aims to be powered entirely by renewable sources by 20270. There is a high international demand for Danish knowledge, experience and solutions in green transition and Denmark has 16 partner countries with which there has been established long-term energy cooperation. These countries account for more than 60% of the world's CO2 emissions.