LCCI seminar calls for renewable energy revolution

Pakistan's energy crisis and environmental challenges could be overcome by using green technologies, these views were expressed at a seminar jointly organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) and Institute for Research Promotion (IRP) on Technologies for Green Energy here on Thursday.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President, Farooq Iftikhar, Vice President, Mian Abuzar Shad, former presidents Mian Muhammad Ashraf, Mian Anjum Nisar, Vice Chairman NFEH Shahid Khan, CEO IRP Abid H K Sherwani, Ex-Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation Professor Dr Farid A Malik, Eng Kamran Mehmood, Professor Dr Saleem Mehmood, Professor Dr Waqar Bukhari, Dr Zaib Hussain and Co-Convenor LCCI Committee on Environment Dr Shahid Raza were prominent among the speakers.
They said that alternate and renewable energy resources are a very viable option to meet future energy requirements. Pakistan has abundant resources for alternate and renewable energy production but unfortunately policy makers in Pakistan could not foresee the energy spectrum.
The speakers said that at the moment Pakistan relies heavily on fossil fuels to meet its energy requirements and the nation is spending more than 11 billion dollars on import of petroleum products every year and it is estimated that by 2015 this will increase manifold. Apart from its very high financial cost, Pakistan remains at strategic risk because it remains heavily dependent even for its vital service.
They highlighted that Pakistan was blessed with all sorts of resources that are being used around the world as energy inputs. They narrated the potentials available in Pakistan in the form of wind, solar, and bio-gas and bagasse and distinctively discussed the options as well as developments with respect to each of them. Similarly, intelligent financing tools should be worked out because initial cost of installing solar panels, bio-gas plants or other resources is relatively higher for common citizens. Global successful experience and knowledge of implementing green technologies could be used by Pakistan to develop a sustainable civic and industrial infrastructure and realise rapid economic growth.
The speakers further said that there is a strong correlation between economic growth and reduction in waste, greenhouse gases, making optimum use of natural and human resources, and the production and conservation of energy to meet the environmental and human development challenges in a changing world.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Farooq Iftikhar said the business community in Lahore and the surrounding areas, as well as across Pakistan, is keen on acquiring economical and reliable alternative energy solutions to sustain their operations. He said a wide range of green technologies are available in the world for power generation, biogas and biofuels production, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and enhancing productivity and production in a sustainable and environment friendly manner.
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President said that alternate energy options should be exploited on war-footing. Apart from on-going programmes and projects by the government, a substantial investment and policy support is needed for a successful energy transition to renewable. Private sector must be engaged and transition target should be achieved through private-public partnerships.