Pakistan’s Green Energy Pathways – Inspirations from China

Zoom Webinar

March 15^th, 2023

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Renewables First (RF), an energy and environment think tank, hosted a webinar on ‘Pakistan’s Green Energy Pathways – Inspirations from China’.

The event brought together national and international stakeholders to discuss China’s Renewable Energy Transition journey and lessons Pakistan can draw from the Chinese experience. The webinar targeted both Chinese and Pakistani audiences, with live Chinese interpretation.

The experts highlighted China’s journey concerning the stages and achievements of RE Development.

Wang Weiquan, the Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, pointed out key policy instruments which China leveraged for greater penetration of renewables. These included China’s Renewable Energy Law, Renewable Energy Standards, Medium and Long-Term Development Plans for Renewable Energy, and Feed-in Tariffs for Solar PV Development.

He highlighted the significance of China’s Renewable Energy Law and 5-year plans which accelerated investments in the sector. He pointed out the cities of Dunhuang and Tianjin which were selected by China as demonstration cities for 100% clean energy consumption. He also discussed the provinces of Jiangxi and Qinghai where the effectiveness of policy frameworks and international cooperation led to high proportions of renewable energy. He mentioned that China and Pakistan can cooperate to confront future challenges and share potential solutions, such as sharing renewable energy law standards and building manufacturing facilities in Pakistan.

Mr Qin Haiyan, Secretary General of the China Wind Energy Association, attributed China’s wind power market growth to factors such as the Renewable Energy Law and a stable domestic market. He stated that the country has achieved significant reductions in the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) for onshore and offshore wind projects, with a cost reduction of 60% in offshore projects in the last decade. He also advised that Pakistan must evaluate its wind and solar resources and develop sound plans to win investor confidence. “The cooperation between China and Pakistan can help Pakistan benefit from China’s expertise in wind energy,” he said.

Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association – Stefan Gsänger compared the development of wind energy markets in China and Pakistan and mentioned that while China has been able to scale up the market due to clear policies and cooperation, Pakistan has faced delays and uncertainties. Gsänger emphasized reducing uncertainties to attract investments and suggested that Pakistan can benefit from China’s complete wind energy supply chain and low prices by scaling up its grid infrastructure and increasing its industrial capacity.

Talking about constraints for Chinese investment in Pakistan, Hassan Daud Butt – Associate Professor at Bahria University, highlighted the need for key interventions regarding ease of doing business in Pakistan including the need for creating an enabling environment to reduce perceived risks for investors to promote investment in renewable energy in Pakistan. He suggested that Pakistan should follow China’s example by creating a comprehensive framework with clear goals and a stable and predictable environment for investors.

Overall, the webinar aimed at bringing China’s knowledge and experience in RE deployment to Pakistan, which is facing electricity challenges and seeking ways to increase its use of renewable technologies.

The event concluded positively with hopes for a green and clean energy future.

ABOUT RENEWABLES FIRST

Renewables First is a Pakistan-based think tank for energy and the environment. It is striving for a just and inclusive energy transition in Pakistan by forging collaborations between the market and the government through multi-stakeholder engagements.

For more information contact

Annam Lodhi

Media and Research Coordinator, Renewables First

annam@renewablesfirst.com.pk

Sanaa’i Muhammad

Coordinator Renewable Energy Coalition Pakistan, Communications & PR Manager, Renewables First

sanaai@renewablesfirst.com.pk