Amir Saeed

Pakistan can save 10 to 12 million Oil Equivalent of Energy (TOE), lessen its dependence on costly imports and promote sustainable economic growth by adopting clean and efficient technologies.

Talking to WealthPK, Shafqat Hussain Memon, an energy expert at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), highlighted that Pakistan ranked 107th out of 120 countries with an energy transition index (ETI) 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 giving energy efficiency measures top priority could significantly decrease energy generation and consumption costs,” he noted.

Memon pointed out that the key factor behind the poor energy transition is the lack of modern infrastructure to support 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 modernising 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 issues related to grid stability,” he said, stressing the need for targeted investments in power grid modernisation, including the digitalisation of grid systems and improved transmission network capabilities, to support the growth of clean technologies.

Memon further emphasised 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. Government policies should focus on incentivising the development of clean technologies, reducing barriers to renewable energy deployment and promoting local manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports.”

The country’s energy consumption is currently around 60.21 million tonnes of TOE with a significant portion of that energy being imported at great economic cost. As the country needs to address its mounting energy demands, there is an increasing recognition that adopting clean and efficient technologies could result in 10 to 12 million TOE savings.

Talking to WealthPK, Afia Malik, an energy expert at Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), said that green technologies such as solar and wind power are intermittent by nature, which presents 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 energy distribution. By improving grid flexibility, reducing energy wastage, and enhancing overall system performance, the country can ensure a stable and efficient transition to renewable energy,” he noted.

“In addition to grid infrastructure, the distribution sector needs significant improvements. 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,’’ Afia emphasised.

“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, Discos must prioritise 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. Mobilising finance for clean tech will enable the government to leverage its renewable energy resources while fostering domestic industry and creating job,” suggested the PIDE energy expert.

Credit: INP-WealthPk