An International Workshop on Options for an Energy Mix: Issues of Cost and Sustainability held in Islamabad

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COMSTECH organized a 3-day workshop entitled “Options for an Energy Mix: Issue of Cost and Sustainability” from 26th to 28th June 2018 to explore sustainable energy pathways and share experience and knowledge amongst the energy professionals and academicians of Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) countries. The objective of holding this workshop was to recommend viable strategies for developing improved and sustainable energy portfolio amongst the OIC member states. The workshop attracted a large number of local and foreign participants from academia, power sector and industry, as well as experts from Turkey, Australia, China, Malaysia, Uganda, Nigeria and Bangladesh. Resource persons for the workshop include national & international experts with experience in technology development, energy management, policy frameworks and energy economics. On behalf of ECOSF, Prof. Dr. Manzoor Hussain Soomro President ECOSF and Engr. Khalil Raza Scientific Officer participated in the inaugural ceremony of the Workshop.

Mr. Sartaj Aziz Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan inaugurated the International Workshop. In his address, Mr. Aziz outlined the measures undertaken by the previous government to respond to the issues by addressing the power mix and enhancing generation capacity, adding power plants based on cheap, coal — imported and local, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and local natural gas. He also highlighted the efforts of the previous Government for initiating the work on several hydel projects including the Tarbela extension, as well as Dasu and Diamer Bhasha dams. Mr. Aziz gave a brief historical account of the current energy crisis in the country. Unfavorable energy mix with high cost of imported fuel based power generation and inconsistent energy policies have escalated the energy crisis in Pakistan, he said. Thus, he stressed over the Integrated Energy Planning for devising the future energy scenarios and pathways for sustainable energy sector of Pakistan.

COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan was the Keynote Speaker in the workshop. Prof. Khan presented a comprehensive and broad-ranging review of the global energy transition, highlighting initiatives to decrease reliance on conventional sources of power by including various renewable sources as part of the energy mix. He also presented an analysis on potential of renewable energy generation and highlight various challenges in penetration of renewable energy technologies in various OIC Member Countries including Pakistan.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. S. Khurshid Hasanain Senior Expert, COMSTECH Secretariat introduced to the participants about this International Workshop and roles & functions of COMSTECH. He outlined the core mandate of COMSTECH which is to strengthen cooperation among Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) Member States in Science and Technology (S&T), and enhance their capabilities through training in emerging areas. He also highlighted the importance of this workshop that is to develop the technical capacity and sharing of the best practices of sustainable energy development, which is critical to inclusive economic growth in the Islamic World.

Leading national & international experts with vast experience in technology development, energy management, policy frameworks and energy economics conducted the workshop in following key areas of sustainable energy:

• The Energy Transition and Competition from Evolution of Fossil Fuels
• Challenges in Integration of Renewables into the Power Grid
• Efficiency in generation and use, and smart cities
• Hydropower: Micro and Small scale dams
• End of life environmental impact of different energy technologies
• Water Matters : Energy generation demands, recycling & reuse
• Energy policy and life cycle costs of energy generation (LCOE)