Pakistan sets ambitious target to achieve 75pc of green energy by 2030

• Pakistan's target of achieving green energy of 64pc by 2025 are very 'real', said special assistant to PM on Petroleum Division.
• Pakistan is now working on hybrid plants, which would have both solar and wind plant at the same site.

With the intention to go green, Pakistan has set itself an ambitious target to achieve 75 percent of green energy in a time span of ten years.

Nadeem Babar, special assistant to the Prime Minister Imran Khan on the Petroleum Division, said that the present government has completely changed the paradigm for energy.

“By 2025, we will have 53pc green energy. By 2030, we will have 64pc green energy. Green means renewable, wind, solar, biomass and hydel. If I add nuclear to it, which is another 10pc, to get the non-fossil category, the number goes up to 75pc. We feel very comfortable with 2025 target," Babar said at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition Conference, quoted Khaleej Times.

The actions are part of government’s plan to tackle the country’s issues of energy crisis, said Babar. "In Pakistan, we have launched two streams - one is to have huge increase in footprints of renewable and cleaner energy and at the same time we need to reinvigorate our gas industry. In addition to the renewables stream, we are opening our E&P sector big time. We are demolishing regulations, removing approvals and opening it up - launching round of 40 blocks in next 12 months. The first one will start next month."

Babar added that the ambitious targets of achieving green energy of 64pc by 2025 are very 'real'. "We have large footprint of hydel generation. If managed properly, it can be mid-merit rather than peaking. Of the 64pc target, half of it is hydel and half is wind and solar. Now what we are doing is working on hybrid solar and wind," he said.

The hybrid plants would have both solar and wind plant at the same site on combined basis, Babar added.

Earlier, Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) reportedly approved at least six wind power projects funded by the World Bank, meanwhile just days ago, the federal cabinet had approved electric vehicle policy that would open new vistas of business and employment.

Under the policy, the target set for next four years was to convert 100,000 cars and 500,000 two and three wheeler vehicles on electric cars. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been proposed in the policy to establish local electric car manufacturing units.

Meanwhile, only one percent duty would be charged on battery run vehicles spare parts, which at present stand at 25pc.