In a groundbreaking declaration, Sindh Energy Secretary Rehan Iqbal Baloch announced the unwavering commitment of the Sindh government to propel the development of innovative clean energy projects. Addressing a seminar titled ‘Role of public-private partnerships in promoting renewable energy,’ organized by Energy Update, Baloch emphasized the immense untapped potential of solar and wind power generation in the province.
Baloch highlighted the abundance of resources in Sindh capable of generating substantial renewable electricity and underscored the indispensable role of private sector collaboration to harness this potential. He specifically mentioned waste-to-energy as an untapped avenue for generating renewable electricity in urban areas of the province.
Drawing inspiration from the success of the public-private partnership model in extracting Thar coal for massive electricity production, Baloch encouraged the private sector to bring forth proposals for new clean energy projects. The Sindh government, equipped with a dedicated PPP unit, stands ready to implement plans that align with the province’s energy sector objectives.
Sonia Ishtiaaq Soomro, the strategic adviser of the Sindh Solar Energy Project, provided insights into the strides made in utilizing the province’s solar energy potential with support from the World Bank. The Sindh Solar Energy Project focuses on establishing utility-scale solar parks, providing solar home systems in rural areas, and utilizing government building rooftops for solar installations.
Soomro revealed the ambitious goal of the Sindh government to establish a 400-megawatt solar park by 2025 under the public-private partnership mode. However, energy expert Irfan Ahmed lamented the current underutilization of clean power, citing that less than one gigawatt of solar-based electricity is produced in Pakistan, despite the potential to generate up to 2,900 gigawatts.
Sindh is moving towards a sustainable future, inviting innovative proposals from the private sector to unlock clean energy potential. The government and private sector collaborate for this energy-efficient journey.
