The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Alternative Pakistan Energy Development Board (AEDB) and German Technical Assistance Agency (GTZ) on Wednesday launched a joint project worth Rs 4.5 million to develop methodology for "Productive Use of Energy in Northern Pakistan."
The project will be part of the overall rural development strategy for the Northern Areas of Pakistan, where poverty alleviation and protection of the natural resources are among the main goals.
Under the project different sites would be identified, where the micro hydropower generation could be feasible option for distribution among rural communities not connected with the national grid.
The project will be launched in collaboration with the task force established by the Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to meet energy requirements in the Northern Areas. The project is aimed at increasing the income-generating activities of poor communities.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, UNDP resident representative Haoliang Xu said, "The project will address community needs, where the energy supply would be linked to the demand for economic activities at the communities level. It would increase opportunities for communal integration, social cohesion and increase environmental awareness".
Among renewable energy supply options, micro hydro generation is considered as one of the most viable option to provide energy to the remote villages and promote income-generation activities, particularly in the mountain area of northern parts of the country.
The project would support Pakistan's efforts in meeting its commitments under the global conventions, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
It will also help in increasing the share of the renewable energy in the total energy generation, which is currently 10 percent of total energy generated in the country.
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