Pakistan, an enormously energy inefficient country is facing internal
and external challenges to overcome energy problem, said Musadik Malik,
Prime Minister's spokesperson here on Tuesday. Speaking at the second
day of Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) organized by Sustainable
Development Policy Institute (SDPI), he stated the energy trade would
not be possible unless doors are opened politically and a holistic
approach is pursued.
He also pointed out double standards of developed countries in
terms of subsidies and use of indigenous resources to overcome the
energy crisis. Internal problems, according to him are that policy
discourses has been hijacked by the supply line. He further said that
the country is facing big supply and demand gap of about 5,000-8,000 MW
and the government is striving to bridge the gap. The government can
easily bridge the gap by producing expensive electricity from thermal
sources however that would not remain affordable for the poor, which is
the objective of the government.
"We blindly invest in the projects that do not have a future
scope, as we supply power vehemently all over the country but now we are
short of it," he said, adding that the government is pursuing
multi-pronged strategy to address energy crisis. He said measures are
being taken to fill the gap between demand and supply in energy and
improve the system by checking pilferage, losses, and wastage.
He said the government is engaged with Qatar, China, Germany and
the United Kingdom to bring foreign investment in the energy sector.
Musadik Malik said a new technology-based system is being developed to
check power theft and smart meter would be installed. He further said
that about 1400-1500 MW from solar source is in pipeline and would be
added to the national grid soon. The government has already signed TAPI
and CASA-1000 and the matter were being discussed with India. However
the government has to look at the best interest of the country, he
added.
Finance Secretary Dr Waqar Masood Khan was of the view that to
achieve Sustainable Development Goals in the region, we need an enabling
environment for developing partnerships and setting agenda for the
national priorities. Adil Khattak Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Attock
Oil Refinery said that mis-governance and mismanagement were the main
reasons behind the energy crisis. He further said that IPPs are working
at 100 percent capacity, however payment to them is delayed, resulting
in piling up of circular debt. If they are not getting payment, how
investment can be brought to the country.
Muhammad Naveed Iftikhar and Fatima Najeeb, Policy Practitioners
from Islamabad presented their paper on Sustainable Energy for All in
South Asia: The need, potential, challenges and solutions. They said the
lack of electricity in South Asian region is an alarming concern where
26 percent of the population does not have access to electricity while
62% of the population lacks access to modern fuel cooking technologies.
He further said the main reason for lack of access to electricity is the
dependence on one type of fuel that is highly exploited while others
are not.
Sohaib Malik, World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), Germany,
said that South Asia is not exploiting wind energy potential. India, on
the other hand, is leading the wind energy market and is currently the
first in the market with a staggering high production rate whereas
Pakistan only produces 106MW energy, he said. "Insufficient grid
infrastructures and interconnection facilities, lack of co-ordination
among different government agencies and government's inability to fulfil
its power purchase commitments are the actual problems."
Phuspha Lal Shakya, Joint Secretary, National Planning
Commission, Nepal, said at least 10 government institutions are working
in one way or the other to achieve food security in Nepal, which shows
the commitment of government to achieve food security. At a session on
'Case Studies in Sustainable Development Technologies and Practices',
Engr M A Jabbar, Member of SDPI Board of Governors, said that
sustainable development in a society consists of three major elements
that are: social development, economic viability, and environmental
obligations. He further added that inequality in a society can be
reduced through efficient and effective corporate social responsibility
(CSR) through major stakeholders and this can lead to the sustainable
development.
German Ambassador Cyril Nunn stressing the importance of
long-term and modernisation of the partnerships for regional integration
in South Asia, discussed the importance of linkages of private sector
in the region for sustainable growth. Phillip Kauppert, Resident
Representative, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), observed that the
economic development of middle and lower classes, and secondly the
urbanisation is on the rise in South Asia which will hamper the
socio-economic growth.
Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, Sustainable
Development Policy Institute, talked about the mismatches between demand
and supply for the region and said "there is urgent need to develop
partnerships in the region to fulfil the gaps." At a session on 'Women
in the Peace Process', Anita Weiss, the Chairperson of National
Commission on the Status of Women, said that Pathways to Sustainable
Development means involving everyone in the process, focusing
specifically on gender equality.
Dr Eisha Tareen, Sociologist and Clinical Psychologist, UK, said
that the most crucial aspect when considering peace building in
conflict ridden areas is gender dynamics at play in local contexts. This
involves analysis of the root causes of inequality such as culture,
religious discourse and social norms.
Dr Shams-Ul-Malik, former Wapda Chairman said that Pakistan
should help Afghanistan in water management and all other issues can be
resolved to maintain peace. The speakers at this session were of the
view that water is a cross border issue, so there should be a workable
regional arrangement to manage and share water resources.
Source : http://www.brecorder.com/fuel-a-energy/193/1250730/
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