Experts on Thursday sought a policy from the government to ensure developing a renewable energy to end continuing power crisis in the metropolis, saying that the alternative sources are a viable solution with an existing huge potential in this sector.
Experts at a consultative workshop titled 'Need for Developing a Renewable Energy Policy for Karachi' proposed joint steps for the government to promote and implement renewable energy plans. The WWF-Pakistan, K-Electric and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) organized the consultation event at a local hotel.
They discussed that Karachi has a huge potential of renewable energy generation from sources like solar, wind, solid waste and tidal energy, which can be utilized to meet the growing power demands. They emphasized on enhancing research, innovative solutions, coordination and joint efforts to address the energy challenges of the city. They also highlighted the existing opportunities and shared recommendations that can support the development of a renewable energy focused policy for Karachi.
Zehra Mehdi, Deputy Director Marketing, Communications and CSR at K-Electric said that developing a renewable energy policy is an important step for the transition of Karachi to a sustainable city. She shared that by 2020, K-Electric will add 100 MW of renewable energy to its existing generation capacity.
The company is working on various renewable energy generation initiatives that focus on solar, wind and waste based energy sources. She informed that K-Electric is taking serious steps towards reducing the carbon footprint of the company and has shifted its office building to renewable energy. K-Electric is also increasing efficiency of its plants and lower carbon emissions to the minimum.
Masood Alam, Senior Director at KMC said that with population growth and rapid urbanization, the city is expanding at a fast pace as it currently faces big challenges of energy, lack of effective waste and water management, etc. He said that all the relevant stakeholders need to make collective efforts to address these issues and make it a climate resilient and sustainable city.
It is good that Karachi has been registered in international climate change mitigation platforms such as the One Planet City Challenge (OPCC) and C40. He lauded the efforts for developing a renewable energy policy for city. 'A renewable energy future is possible only with dramatic improvements in energy efficiency and storage', he added.
Dr Babar Khan, Regional Head Sindh and Balochistan, WWF-Pakistan said that it is the most appropriate time to switch from conventional energy to renewable energy sources as climate resilient cities in the world are predominantly have adopted clean energy. In order to tackle climate change, Karachi should increase its share of renewable energy, promote sustainable public transportation, avoid deforestation and ensure efficient waste management among others. 'Joint efforts and serious commitments are required to promote sustainable development and climate friendly policies that can help enhance renewable energy and contribute to low carbon emissions in Karachi,' he added.
Shahnawaz Farhan Khahro, Deputy Director, Directorate of Alternative Energy, Energy Department said that Pakistan is blessed with huge potential of wind, solar and tidal energy that can be utilized to strengthen energy security. He also said that renewable energy is the cheapest and viable solution not only for the city but the entire country.