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Friday September 13, 2024

Low-carbon energy storage initiative launched

By Our Correspondent
August 25, 2024
Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam addressing the Signing Ceremony and launch of Pakistans Industry First Transformative project “Energy Storage as a Service at a local hotel on August 24, 2024. —  APP
Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam addressing the Signing Ceremony and launch of Pakistans Industry First Transformative project “Energy Storage as a Service" at a local hotel on August 24, 2024. —  APP

Islamabad : Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam has said that Energy storage as a service (ESaaS) at an industrial scale is an emerging model, where energy storage systems are offered to customers as a service rather than a traditional capital expenditure. Speaking as chief guest at the Launching and signing ceremony of the “Industry-First Energy Storage as a Service Project” held here, the PM’s climate aide said, “With the launching of the country’s first ever project, we are embark today on a journey that not only would help advance our nation's technological capabilities but also reaffirms our unwavering commitment to combat climate change.”

“The ground-breaking initiative represents a pivotal step forward in the present government’s commitment to integrate innovative energy solutions and enhance the country’s energy infrastructure for better and sustained energy supplies to the people,” Ms. Alam remarked. The initiative was actualized by the Brillanz Group and other key stakeholders involved in developing a transformative ecosystem for sustainability and de-carbonization in Pakistan. She said that this project basically aims to revolutionise energy storage capabilities and provide a sustainable solution for our energy needs, aligning with the present government’s vision for a greener and climate-resilience future.

The PM’s climate aide said, “With potential role to significantly reducing carbon emissions, the launch of Pakistan’s first Energy Storage as a Service project at the industry scale is not merely a technological milestone; it is a bold statement of our intent to lead by example in the global transition to a low-carbon future.” By adopting such innovative energy solutions that prioritize de-carbonization agendas, the present government was sending a powerful message that sustainable practices are at the core of our development strategy, Romina Khurshid Alam stressed, adding that in fact the benefits of this project extended beyond mere addressing environmental concerns. By reducing diesel consumption, we are not only promoting energy efficiency but also addressing a critical economic vulnerability—our reliance on diesel imports. This reduction helps to mitigate the strain on our foreign currency reserves and shields us, however modestly, from the fluctuations of exchange rates. The PM’s climate aide said further that Climate Change & Environmental Coordination ministry was proud to support the launch of the project, showcasing the government’s commitment to the strategic partnership with the resource-rich private sector in driving forward the green transformation of the country’s industrial sector.

“Only by working together (government and private sector), we can future-proof Pakistan’s infrastructure, ensuring that it is resilient in the face of climate challenges while also enhancing network reliability for years to come,” Romina Khurshid Alam emphasised.

She also hoped that the project would be a beacon and example for other countries in the region and beyond to demonstrate what could be achieved when environmental sustainability and climate resilience are the priority. “It is more than just a technological advancement; it is a commitment to a sustainable future for Pakistan.

Together, we can ensure that our economic growth is not at odds with environmental stewardship but is instead a harmonious blend of both,” she emphasised. Addressing the ceremony, Majid Misfer Alghamdi, Assistant Deputy Minister for Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said that while it might be a small step, it is a critical one towards reducing our national carbon footprint and achieving our environmental targets. Spelling out the key features of the initiative, the Saudi government official emphasized that beyond environmental impact, this project was a significant initiative to address economic resilience. “By reducing diesel consumption in the initiative, we are not only promoting energy efficiency but also mitigating a critical economic vulnerability—our reliance on diesel imports,” Majid Misfer Alghamdi remarked. He said further that this initiative would also help protect the country’s foreign currency reserves and shields us, though modestly, from the unpredictability of the exchange rates.