ISLAMABAD: The government has decided not to pursue the proposed renewable energy projects with Qatar under the Renewable Energy Framework, citing a reduction in electricity demand and significant solarization efforts in the country.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is finalizing the agenda for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit to Qatar, where he is expected to present various investment proposals to the Qatari government. He will also request the Qatari authorities to allow Pakistan to reschedule agreed LNG cargoes during peak demand months.
Sources from the Pakistan Public Investment Board (PPIB) informed NewzShewz that a recent meeting was held regarding the projects with Qatar, chaired by Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator and focal person for investment proposals with Qatar.
During this meeting, it was reported that an Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement for the development of renewable energy projects had been shared with the Qatari side for implementation under a Government-to-Government (G2G) mode. However, due to low demand and extensive installation of captive and net-metering-based solar PV systems, no further capacity is available for renewable energy projects in the draft Integrated Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGECP) 2024.
Consequently, the PPIB has proposed that negotiations and signing of the framework agreement with Qatar should not be pursued at this stage.
The issue of importing solar PV panels was also discussed in a recent public hearing by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra). It is estimated that around 7,000 megawatts of solar panels have been imported into the country, resulting in a 25% decrease in electricity consumption. However, the Chairman of Nepra has questioned the accuracy of these figures, indicating that further investigation is needed.
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