The government should focus on formulating such national policies that would not only encourage energy efficiency but also facilitate the affordability for the customers, a statement said.
This was the gist of a discussion at a webinar on “Energy Conservation”, powered by K-Electric as part of a series of webinars, organized by Nutshell Communications on the Future of Energy (FoE). The discussion highlighted the prevailing challenges the power sector is confronted with and their solution.
The main objective of these webinars is to dissect the current challenges of the energy sector and emphasized on the immense potential for growth and innovation. Afia Malik, a senior research economist at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) moderated the session.
Experts, including Feroze Baig, director industry, NEECA; Asad Mehmood, energy efficiency and renewable energy expert at the National and International Organizations; Amer Zia, advisor to CEO, K-Electric; and Dr. Naveed Arshad, associate professor and director of the National Center in Big Data and Cloud Computing (NCBC), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) were present on the occasion.
Asad Mehmood deliberated on the need for standardization of consumer-end products and ensure that the Minimum Efficiency Performance Standards (MEPS) are met.
Amer Zia said that energy efficient products are essential for the people.
“For most people earning close to minimum wage, the concern would not be about conserving energy but the cost of it. Therefore, standardization is essential, while ensuring that the products are cost effective at the same time,” he added.
Highlighting the need to amplify awareness, Zia referred to K-Electric’s initiative of Roshni Bajis that has brought visible changes not only in the consumption and recovery patterns of electricity but also in upholding the values that are part of K-Electric’s vision. He also spoke about the company’s Rs484 billion Investment Plan along the transmission and distribution value chain, which includes the use of renewables for sustainable generation and to enable access to affordable energy for all.
Stressing on the need for indigenization and creative solutions, Dr. Naveed Arshad said: “It becomes challenging to implement innovative solutions in the absence of a framework that compels it. We need a legislation at the national level to remove hindrances in embracing innovation.” He also proposed moving towards an innovative tariff design for the sector to become efficient.
Feroze Baig highlighted the need for data-driven efficiency and said: “Respective bodies need to focus on monitoring devices that can help break down data in a timely manner instead of relying on providing obsolete numbers.”
Despite the challenges Pakistan’s energy sector is faced with, the panel focused on the opportunities at hand in the energy efficiency domain, especially for harnessing the potential of carbon credits. All experts agreed that indigenization of fuels and embracing energy efficiency as a culture could help the country address its energy crisis.
Proactive policies a must to encourage energy conservation
