QUETTA: The contours and issues confronting the current national energy mix were discussed at a workshop here on Friday.

Organised by the Energy Think Tank (ETT) in collaboration with the government of Balochistan and Engro Energy, the workshop was aimed at promoting alternative and renewable energy projects in the country.

While speaking at the workshop, Balochistan Additional Chief Secretary Abdul Rehman Buzdar appreciated the efforts of the ETT in collecting recommendations and concerns of the Balochistan province over the issue of renewable energy. He expressed the hope that the federal government would consider recommendations and suggestions of the forum to promote the alternative power sector in Balochistan.

Energy Secretary Passand Khan Buledi said that Balochistan carried one of the most promising potential of renewable energy production not just nationally but all over the world.

“Take for instance the example of the wind corridor of Nokundi in Chagai district whose assessed potential of renewable energy production is 16,000MW,” he said.

“Then Balochistan could also produce up to four million megawatts of renewable energy using the solar power that is sufficient to meet electricity needs of entire Pakistan for several decades,” he said, adding that the potential of renewable energy of Balochistan was ideal whether it is wind, solar, or tidal power.

G.M. Engro Energy retired Brig Tariq Qadir said that the after successful completion of Thar coal and energy project in Sindh, Engro was well poised to explore the renewable sector so to play its due part to generate clean electricity.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2019