Amir Saeed

Pakistan can save 10 to 12 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) annually, reduce its dependency on the costly energy imports, and promote sustainable economic growth by adopting clean and efficient technologies.

Talking to WealthPK, Shafqat Hussain Memon, an energy expert at the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), highlighted that Pakistan ranked 107th out of 120 countries, with an ETI (Energy Transition Index) score of 46.9 for 2014-2023. This ranking shows the country’s slow progress in aligning its energy systems with the global transition towards cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. “Accelerating the clean energy transition is critical for reducing carbon emissions while bringing substantial long-term socioeconomic benefits.

Switching to cleaner energy sources, like renewables, and prioritizing energy efficiency measures top priority can significantly decrease energy generation and consumption costs.’’ He pointed out that the key factor behind the poor energy transition was lack of modern infrastructure to support the renewable energy integration. Although the country is blessed with abundant solar and wind resources, the aging power grid remains a significant barrier.

The country needs to invest in modernizing its grid infrastructure to unlock the potential of renewable energy. This includes enhancing the grid’s capacity to handle renewable and non-renewable energy sources and addressing the issues related to grid stability. He emphasized the need for targeted investments in power grid modernization, including the digitalization of grid systems and improved transmission network capabilities, to support the growth of clean technologies.

He further emphasized the necessity of more robust financial and policy support systems to ease the country’s energy transition. Although the country has enormous potential for renewable energy, especially in wind and solar, the shift will cost a lot of money. The government policies should focus on incentivizing the development of clean technologies, reducing barriers to the renewable energy deployment, and promoting local manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports. The country’s energy consumption is currently around 60.21 Mtoe, with a significant portion of that energy being imported at a great economic cost.

As the country needs to address its mounting energy demands, there is an increasing recognition that adopting clean and efficient technologies can result in 10 to 12 Mtoe savings. Talking to WealthPK, Afia Malik, an energy expert at the PIDE, opined that green technologies such as solar and wind power were intermittent by nature, which presented challenges for managing supply and demand. Integrating these renewable sources into the grid requires infrastructure upgrades and smart management solutions.

Energy storage systems, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and dynamic line rating systems are essential to address this. “These technologies can provide real-time insights into power flow and allow for better control over the energy distribution. By improving grid flexibility, reducing energy waste, and enhancing overall system performance, the country can ensure a stable and efficient transition to renewable energy. “In addition to grid infrastructure, the distribution sector needs significant improvements.

The distribution companies (Discos) need to adopt new technologies and strategies faster for managing the increased adoption of rooftop solar installations. One major issue is the need for transformer monitoring devices and real-time tracking of renewable energy inputs,” she emphasized. “As more households and businesses install solar panels, issues like reverse power flow, where excess rooftop energy flows back into the grid, are becoming increasingly common.

To resolve these issues, the Discos must prioritize upgrading their systems, including installing transformer monitoring equipment and introducing software platforms, that can dynamically manage the flow of energy.” “Additionally, international financial support in the form of grants and loans will be critical for helping the country meet its energy transition goals. Mobilizing finance for clean tech will enable the government to leverage its renewable energy resources while fostering domestic industry and job creation,” she suggested.

Credit: INP-WealthPk