We have reached another milestone promting efficiencies and information techonolgy tools in implementing net metering in Pakistan when NEPRA approved the online Net Metering  processing portal. This will allow processing all net meteringapplication by the consumers online, making the systems more efficient and transparent. We have reached to this milestone due to efforts and support by Step Robotics, DISCOs, NEPRA, PITC, PEPCO, certified vendors and winning team of AEDB lead by CEO AEDB. This is advent of new era in net metering in Pakistan that would open up plenty of opportunities and making net metering a big success.

AEDB & UNIDO jointly  promoting Renewable Energy in Industrial Sector of Pakistan

 The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB), being the focal agency on Alternate and Renewable Energy ( ARE ) technologies, has been striving for utilizing the available indigenous ARE resources in the country. Apart from the large-scale grid-connected ARE projects, efforts are also being made for harnessing the benefits of ARE technologies in other segments of the economy including domestic, commercial, agriculture and industrial sectors.

  In order to promote the adoption and utilization of ARE technologies in the industrial sector of Pakistan, an analysis of the required set of policy framework was needed which can help industries achieve sustainability while lowering their dependence on fossils fuels for their energy requirements.

 UNIDO has jointly worked with AEDB in promoting market-based adoption of ARE technologies in industries of Pakistan by carrying out the much-needed analysis under the banner of its GEF funded project titled as “Sustainable Energy Initiative for Industries in Pakistan” for devising the required policy and regulatory framework for promoting ARE applications in industries in Pakistan. On the top of it , UNIDO in collaboration with AEDB , has been providing technical assistance along with supportive investments grants for RE projects in the industrial sector . in order to promote the RE investments and to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of the Renewable Energy technologies and its application in the industrial sector.

  In addition to that, UNIDO with active support by AEDB, under its GEF funded project "Promoting Sustainable Energy Production and Use from Biomass in Pakistan " has developed three policy documents which includes the policy recommendations on biomass energy technologies , minimum quality standards for biomass gasification technologies and biomass management & pricing for power generation. These documents forms the bases of tariff determination of biomass power plants . AEDB and UNIDO are now jointly working to formally register the minimum quality standards for biomass energy technologies with PSQCA as National Voluntarily Standards. The 1st technical committee review meeting of these standards has been chaired by Mr. Amjad Ali Awan , CEO AEDB . These standards will not only help to benchmark the performance of biomass power plants in Pakistan but will be building confidence of the investors to invest in new ARE technologies like Biomass Gasification Systems(BGT) to be used for combined head and power generation. Moreover , in order to promote the Biomass Gasification Technology, joint efforts are being made to install a small demonstration project with high replication potential in one of the SMEs by providing them technical and financial assistance. Not only this, but a study on supply chain of available biomass residues will also be conducted in joint collaboration of AEDB , UNIDO and NUST in near future . The aim of this study will be to perform a gap analysis of the agriculture residues i.e. rice husk , corn cob , rice stalk ,wheat stalk available in key areas and to provide interventions to develop and strengthen the existing value chains.

   Keeping the thread there is a Waste to Energy project in inception phase being developed by UNIDO in collaboration with AEDB. In a nutshell , UNIDO continues to work with AEDB on various fronts specifically focusing on creating an enabling environment to promote ARE technologies in the Industrial sector of Pakistan hence contributing towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development , fostering green growth and Climate Change mitigation.

Launch of Renewable Readiness Assessment of Pakistan by AEDB and IRENA - Renewable Energy Can Build Prosperity and Improve Energy Security in Pakistan

 IRENA assessment shows Pakistan’s abundant renewable resources can boost power generation and energy access

 International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Alternative Energy Development Board successfully launched Renewable Readiness Assessment (RRA) Report today in a ceremony held in Marriott, Islamabad. This RRA report has critically analyzed the renewable energy sector of Pakistan and has provided a comprehensive analysis of the country’s energy sector, valuable policy guidance and technical assistance to determine our best available renewable-based power options and identifies key actions to accelerate renewable energy deployment.

The RRA Report has stated that while hydropower has traditionally been the most prominent source of renewable energy in Pakistan — making up almost a third of electricity generation with 7.1 gigawatts of installed grid-connected capacity — IRENA’s assessment finds that the country has up to 60 GW of economic and technical hydropower potential. The assessment also identifies 50 GW of wind potential in Pakistan’s southern Sindh and Baluchistan provinces and estimates that 25 million tonnes of biomass feedstocks from industrial and agricultural residue can be made available for use, per year.

 The Director General IRENA, Mr. Adnan Z. Amin said during the launching ceremony that Pakistan is undergoing rapid economic and industrial development, which in turn is fuelling strong energy demand growth across the country. To meet this demand Pakistan has a tremendous opportunity to cost-effectively tap its abundant solar, wind and hydropower resource potential. Doing so would support national prosperity and job creation, whilst enhancing security of supply, improving access and moving Pakistan towards greater energy independence.

The CEO, AEDB stated during the launching ceremony that Pakistan is rich in renewable energy potential, and can with this assessment develop policies, investment opportunities and energy development actions to harness it. Critical to this report has been IRENA’s valuable policy guidance and technical assistance to determine our best available renewable-based power options. The CEO, AEDB also launched solar maps of Pakistan being developed under the ESMAP, with the support of World Bank.

 The RRA Report shows that declines in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology costs have supported the sector’s growth in Pakistan, with 400 megawatts (MW) of solar PV projects in 2015-2016, helping to create over 15,500 local jobs. In recent years, Pakistan has seen a surge in providers offering a range of solar home system products including solar water pumping systems, solar lighting solutions and solar water heaters. With more than half of Pakistan’s total population residing in rural areas, millions remain reliant on traditional biomass use. Among Pakistan’s rural population, only half have access to electricity.

 IRENA’s assessment presents options for Pakistan to strengthen its policy, regulatory and institutional framework in order to accelerate renewables deployment. It suggests ways to strengthen renewable energy targets, examines the constraints of existing grid infrastructure, highlights the best mechanisms to reduce costs and address technical challenges, and underlines the potential for private investment in renewables for off-grid and rural electrification.

 To further utilise the country’s indigenous renewable energy resources, the RRA Report of Pakistan finds that key challenges can be addressed by: 

• Setting a binding target for renewable energy development;
• Coordinating the development and implementation of an integrated energy plan;
• Encouraging renewable energy zoning and competitive procurement to reduce overall system costs;
• Involving the private sector in the development of transmission infrastructure to enhance the grid;
• Devising a comprehensive distributed power generation plan;
• Developing policy and regulatory frameworks and implementation mechanisms that facilitate private-sector engagement in rural electrification.

The RRA Report is available at AEDB website at www.aedb.org/publications and at IRENA Website at https://www.irena.org/publications/2018/Apr/Renewables-Readiness-Assessment-Pakistan