No energy crisis in country despite oil disruptions: Pakistan PM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that despite disruptions in oil supply due to regional tensions, no electricity crisis had emerged in the country owing to a significant share of renewable energy in electricity generation.

The prime minister, while chairing a meeting regarding long term energy planning and export strategy during current international situation, directed to expedite work on the Battery Energy Storage System project.

“Solar energy and other renewable energy sources are the future of the power sector,” he said and directed to formulate a comprehensive strategy to further expand renewable energy sources at the national level.

He noted that Pakistani exports to Gulf countries were continuing despite recent global tensions and challenges.

The prime minister directed the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) to arrange ships to increase exports via maritime routes.

Despite regional tensions, successful diplomacy has ensured the continued supply of Pakistani exports to Gulf countries, he added.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on the long-term strategy for electricity generation, opportunities for exports in the current global situation, challenges faced, and measures to address them.

Currently, 55% of total electricity generation comes from renewable sources, while 45% comes from fossil fuels, the briefing stated.

“Planning is underway to increase electricity generation from renewable sources to 90% and reduce fossil fuel-based generation to 10% over the next ten years.”

Diplomatic efforts with Gulf countries are ongoing to facilitate national exports in light of recent regional tensions, the briefing added.

The meeting was further told that demand for Pakistani agricultural products in Gulf countries had been steadily increasing.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Jam Kamal Khan, Dr. Musadik Malik, Ahad Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Sardar Owais Ahmed Leghari, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Special Assistants Haroon Akhtar and Tariq Bajwa, Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmad, and senior officials from relevant institutions.