Moving towards renewable; Pakistan launches Electric Charging Station

As Pakistan looks towards renewable technology to meet its energy needs, Minister for Power Division Omar Ayub Khan says the government is taking various initiatives for development in the energy sector.

Addressing the launching ceremony of Pakistan's first Electric Charging Station in Islamabad, the minister said it is a welcoming initiative and an important step towards Clean and Green Pakistan.

“Despite having ample indigenous resources, Pakistan has been reliant on imported fuels to meet its energy needs, this happened due to the wrong policies of the previous governments,” said Omar Ayub Khan.

He said that presently 70 percent of Pakistan’s energy mix is based on imported fuels however; the government is trying to change this scenario completely. “Our target is by 2023, Pakistan will be generating 45,000 MW of electricity of which 30pc will be made up of renewable sources i.e. solar and wind power.”

He said that by 2023 Pakistan will generate 75-80pc of its electricity from its local sources including nuclear, hydro, and coal power, which will reduce the electricity tariffs for the end customers.

Omar Ayub Khan said 24 electric stations will be set up in the future, which will help the common people of the country. “In the near future our cal industry will be capable of producing equipment for charging stations, which will generate employment opportunities as well,” he said.

The decline in imported fuels would lead to improving our Current Account Deficit, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant on Petroleum Nadeem Babar said the opening of a charging station in Islamabad will help encourage electric vehicles as future transportation in the country. He said this initiative is a welcoming move for the country, which will soon witness electric vehicles running on roads.

The special assistant said it will also help the Prime Minister campaign of Clean and Green Pakistan.