Plan for Pakistan Renewable Energy Institute
Islamabad – Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said that the Power Division was planning to establish “renewable energy institute” to conduct research, study the existing potential and propose policy matters to the government in the field of alternative energy .
The minister expressed these view at a meeting with a delegation of World Bank headed by WB Vice-President for South Asia Annette Dixon and International Finance Corporation Vice-President for the region Snezana Stoijkvic here Friday.
The minister while explaining the potential of renewable energy sources in Pakistan said that in order to tap the resources and pass on its due benefits to consumers, the government has taken a decision to call competitive bidding for the renewable energy power generation in the future
The minister also invited the WB and IFC to extend assistance in the establishment of the renewable energy institute. He said that the Power Division was also working on indigenous resources mobilization for the sustainability of the renewable energy institute.
He also underscored the need for investment in the power distribution sector to modernize the existing infrastructure. He also invited the WB and IFC to consider investing in laying ABC cables in the distribution network which will greatly help in reducing line losses and controlling theft.
The minister informed the delegation that amendments to NEPRA Act was pending in the Upper House of the Parliament and with its finalization, the power sector will be more open for investors taking electricity as a commodity trade at the distribution level. He said that the Power Division was already working on a concept of “wheeling” with SECP to make the electricity a tradable commodity.
The IFC vice-president said that the IFC was keen in tapping the renewable resources of wind and solar power generation in Balochistan and in this regard their teams will coordinate with the Power Division and all other stakeholders. The IFC is also keen on assisting the power sector in tapping the renewable energy sources in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The IFC vice-president also expressed interest in making an investment in improving the distribution network. It was also agreed that both sides will soon hold a roundtable to exchange views on the possibility of the investment.
The WB appreciated the reforms already undertaken in the power sector. The WB vice-president also expressed the interest bank in assisting the Power Division in the formulation of new energy policy and national electricity plan . The WB also reiterated to continue its support to the power sector in the modernization of transmission lines.
