Dr. R.K.Pachauri to visit Pakistan for energy prospects

In recent years Pakistan has been facing severe problems on the energy front, and on this issue there has also been an active dialogue with the Government of India on the possibility of a power supply arrangement from India’s northern grid to the province of Punjab in Pakistan. 

At the same time, TERI has been holding a dialogue both at the official and NGO levels in Pakistan for implementing a range of renewable energy based solutions.  TERI has had considerable experience through its ‘Lighting a Billion Lives’ campaign in India, installation of biomass gasifiers in rural areas as well as innovation through the use of mini grids to supply clean lighting and facilitate the operation of clean cook stoves in rural homes.

“The time has come for all the stakeholders in India and Pakistan, and in fact all South Asia to work towards close and good neighbourly relations. It is only then that we would be able to develop solutions to our common problems of poverty, hunger and take the countries of the region towards healthy and sustainable growth”, said Dr. Pachauri, just before leaving for Pakistan.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has invited a delegation from TERI as State guests to hold a dialogue with the Chief Minister and senior officials as well as others in Lahore, particularly for identifying renewable energy based solutions and facilitating their implementation.  The delegation will spend three days in Pakistan working closely with departments and agencies of the Government of Punjab in that country. In addition, he  will be giving this year’s “Quaid-i-Azam Lecture” entitled “Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development in South Asia” organized by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics on 21st December 2013 in Islamabad.