The use of solar power shouldn\u2019t be discouraged
\nIslamabad
\nFPCCI\u2019s presidential candidate, Atif Ikram Sheikh, said on Monday that solar energy can help the country save billions of dollars, but it is not promoted.
\nThe policymakers are discouraging solar power in a very systematic way that is not being depressed anywhere in the world, he said.
\nAtif Ikram Sheikh, who has also served as VP FPCCI, Chairman PVMA, and President ICCI, said in a statement issued here today that the current power policy is unsustainable and poorly designed.
\nHe said that almost one hundred billion dollars are spent on cooling during summer, which can be reduced by fifty percent if renewable energy is promoted, but this is unfortunately not the case.
\nThe country needs almost 18 thousand megawatts of additional electricity during summer, which is not used in winter. Still, capacity charges are paid to the power plants, increasing the cost of electricity for the masses and the business community.
\nAtif Ikram Sheikh said that the operational inefficiency has led to capacity payment obligations surpassing Rs 2 trillion, which compromises the country\u2019s GDP growth.
\nAdopting energy-efficient practices in residential areas can significantly reduce electricity loads for which sustainable practices are needed, he observed.
\nThere is a need to change how buildings are designed and constructed, focusing on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, which is the only way out, he underlined.
\nAtif Ikram Sheikh said that Pakistan\u2019s location is a plus point for solar technology as we receive a large amount of daylight, which can produce around 95% of energy.
\nPakistan has 2.9 million MW of solar power potential, making it a viable source of energy to tap for producing power, he said.
\nThe cost of solar technology has steadily decreased internationally, making renewable energy sources more viable. Pakistan can capitalize on this trend by investing in solar systems and lowering overall electricity production costs, he said.
\nHe said that currently, people are looking for a substitute for electricity as paying for inflated bills is making their survival difficult.
\nHarnessing solar energy lessens Pakistan\u2019s reliance on imported fossil fuels, which are expensive and volatile on the market. This improves the country\u2019s energy security by minimizing disruptions in the energy supply.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The use of solar power shouldn\u2019t be discouraged Islamabad FPCCI\u2019s presidential candidate, Atif Ikram Sheikh, said on Monday that solar energy can help the country save billions of dollars, but it is not promoted. The policymakers are discouraging solar power in a very systematic way that is not being depressed anywhere in the world, he […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-375376","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n