Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division), Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, said on Wednesday that Pakistan was steadily reducing its dependence on imported fuel for electricity generation, with the share of indigenous energy sources expected to rise significantly over the next four to five years.

Responding to a calling attention notice regarding drastic changes in the net-metering policy for solar prosumers and the decision to propose an 18 percent tax on solar panels, he said 74 percent of the electricity currently generated in the country was being produced from local sources, while only 26 percent depended on imported coal and gas.

He said the share of locally sourced energy was projected to increase to nearly 96 percent in the coming years, adding that Pakistan’s reliance on imported fuel was continuously declining. The minister said the government had completed a detailed study, initiated several months ago, regarding the conversion of imported coal-based power plants to locally produced Thar coal.

He termed the initiative both feasible and economically viable. He said the move would not only help reduce electricity prices but would also further decrease the country’s dependence on imported fuel. Awais Leghari said wind and solar energy could not fully replace base-load power plants, adding that every country required reliable base-load generation capacity.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)