ISLAMABAD, 18 July(ABC): The Engineering Development Board (EDB) is all set to submit its policy document on Solar Panels and Allied Equipments Manufacturing to the Government by the end of this month.
EDB initiated working on this policy formulation some time back under directions from its parent ministry (Ministry of Industries & Production and the EDB’s Board of Management).
The draft of policy document was presented in the 51st Board of Management meeting of EDB held in June 2022 and EDB was advised to hold a consultative workshop on the matter before submission of the policy document to the government.
The Policy is expected to dovetail with the national solar energy policy being prepared by the Ministry of Power and the Renewable Energy Task Force under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
EDB has invited the panel manufacturers, provincial energy departments, local EPC contractors, solution providers, foreign consultants working in this field, research organizations, Academia, users, and other relevant organizations / departments in the federation in workshop to get input. Where highlights of the document shall be shared.
Today , Pakistan, is facing serious energy shortages with record prices that had directly and indirectly affected all sectors of the economy .The country’s electricity demand has reached almost 29,000 MW total whereas generation is about 22,000 MW creating a considerable gap between generation and demand, resulting in load shedding. With the present Government’s focus on setting solar set ups it becomes imperative to promote localization & indigenization of solar panels and its allied equipment in the country to save huge out flow of foreign exchange.
The country’s power sector has a structural issue as its energy generation mix is 40% based on indigenous resources while 60% comprises imported oil fuel. The government has planned to increase local share to 90% by 2030, out of which the targets set for renewable energy is 20% to 30% which is currently around only 1.4% of the total installed capacity. Roof top solar system in particular needs to be encouraged and incentivized as it is the cheapest source of electric generation available today.