ISLAMABAD, June 26: The US Charge d’Affaires, Peter W Bodde, on Monday reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to addressing Pakistan’s energy needs.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a two-day ‘Renewable Energy Symposium’ where wind and solar maps of Pakistan’s and Afghanistan’s renewable energy sources were presented with the support of USAID’s South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy (SARI/Energy).

“The wind and solar maps provide the people and governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan a quantified and qualified assessment of wind and solar energy resources of their respective countries,” the US diplomat said.

Federal minister for water and power, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, inaugurated the symposium, which is co-sponsored by the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the SAARC Chamber of Commerce.

USAID Pakistan mission director Anne Aarnes, FPCCI president Tanvir Sheikh, advisor to the Afghan minister of energy Amin Munsif, and USAID South Asian Initiative for Energy (SARI/E) regional coordinator Robyn McGuckin were also present on the occasion.

Mr Jatoi assured continuing support and patronage and government of Pakistan’s commitment to successfully meeting the challenge of providing energy security to the country.

Chairman Alternative Energy Development Board Shahid Hamid said the government was focusing on development of alternative renewable resources of energy to supplement indigenous supplies in a cost-effective manner. The energy demand had increased due to economic growth.

Advisor to the minister of energy, Afghanistan, Muhammad Amin Munsif said Afghanistan was energy deficient and would require energy for its rehabilitation and reconstruction. He said the maps would provide the required knowledge to utilise energy resources in the country.

The wind and solar maps, launched at the symposium, were funded by USAID SARI/Energy. The US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the US Department of Energy (DOE) produced the maps.

The mapping exercise for both Pakistan and Afghanistan was completed in April 2007. The maps provide high-resolution information on the solar and wind energy sources, in the region, to locate and design wind and solar energy in the two countries.

The symposium will discuss ways for the optimal installations and use of the maps for expediting development of renewable energy resources in both countries. It will also familiarise policy makers, project developers, financial institutions and other stake holders to the maps and their utilisation.