ISLAMABAD — Transitioning away from coal and expanding renewable energy infrastructure are critical to mitigating Pakistan’s economic risks and circular debt, emphasized energy experts and policymakers during a high-level policy dialogue organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with United Nations ESCAP.

The event, titled “Beyond Fossil Fuels: Pathways for a Clean Energy Transition in Pakistan,” focused on actionable strategies to realign the nation’s energy sector with global climate targets and green manufacturing trends.

Key Research & Technical Insights

The dialogue featured two flagship studies presented by SDPI researchers: Repurposing of Coal-Fired Power Plants in Pakistan and Scaling E-Cooking in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

• Coal Repurposing & Financial Relief: Ms. Zainab Babar, Researcher at SDPI, outlined mechanisms to address heavy capacity payments and circular debt through asset repurposing, integrated energy planning, and technical innovations.
• National Alignment: Dr. Khalid Waleed, Research Fellow at SDPI, highlighted the strategic risks of continued reliance on coal, advocating for an energy policy that matches international decarbonization trends.
• Affordable & Just Transition: Dr. Sajid Amin, Deputy Executive Director (Research) at SDPI, emphasized that transitioning energy sources must remain secure, affordable, and equitable for all socioeconomic segments.
• UNESCAP Partnership: Mr. Michael Williamson, Economic Affairs Officer at UNESCAP, reaffirmed international support for phased, Pakistan-specific pathways to repurpose fossil-fuel infrastructure.

Policy Roundtable Recommendations

Industry leaders and energy specialists outlined concrete steps to accelerate grid stability and clean energy integration:

• PPA & Market Reforms: Former Managing Director of PPIB, Mr. Shah Jahan Mirza, stressed the need for pragmatic Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) reforms, alongside investments in battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewables.
• Modernizing Grid Architecture: Mr. Kamil Maqsood, Team Lead at PPMC, advocated for scaling Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), behind-the-meter storage, and Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption to stabilize the power grid.
• Green CPEC & Social Protection: Dr. Hasanat Shah (CPEC Centre of Excellence) urged framing coal transition projects under the CPEC Green Corridor, while Mr. Badar Alam (CEO, PRIED) called for legally binding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks to safeguard coal-dependent communities.

Participants concluded with a consensus to strengthen institutional coordination, drive regulatory reforms, and foster international partnerships to secure Pakistan’s sustainable energy future.