Energy Research Center participated in Workshop on Renewable Energy Technologies: Prospects and Challenges” at Pak-China Business Forum
The Pak China Business Forum was held on 19-22 March, 2016 at the Expo Centre, Lahore. Among many other themes, one of the very important section was based on current global energy crises and solutions based on the renewable energy technologies. A thematic workshop “Renewable Energy Technologies: Prospects and Challenges” was also arranged by CIIT on 20th March 2016. More than seventy (70) professionals from academia /industry of both countries (Pak &China) participated at the event. The panel discussion was chaired by Mr. Khalid Saeed (Head, ERC,CIIT). He appreciated the efforts of Pak-China business forum organizer to provide such platform, where professionals from both countries could discuss and collaborate the needs of the nation and society. Mr. Khalid Saeed also highlighted the significance of carrying out research on energy which is a multidisciplinary subject and people from all disciplines should undertake joint projects to alleviate energy crisis prevailing in the country.
Dr. Muhammad Ghaffar Doggar, Principal Scientific Officer, Energy Research Center, highlighted the potential of biomass in Pakistan. He discussed the available biomass potential in Pakistan, especially the Punjab and versatility in its use is highly favorable for energy production as a clean and cost-effective fuel option. Discussing the biomass project economics, Dr. Doggar highlighted that Biomass power plants are an economical option to the energy demands of Pakistan. Because of the fact, more than 60% of its population lives in rural areas and they are mostly related to agriculture and livestock. Pakistan, being rich in biomass resources, must generate some percentage of its total energy demand, create job opportunities by building biogas plants, cope with environmental issues and decrease the burden on its economy by the reduction of oil imports.
Dr. Doggar further highlighted the opportunities for China to invest in the areas of biogas and biomass power projects. At the end of his talk, one of the Chinese companies showed his interest in this area and held a detailed meeting with Dr Doggar to find out the solutions and ways how to collaborate and work together. It was a great forum to discuss opportunities for investment on biomass power generation in Punjab. The forum was a wonderful opportunity to hold business meetings. The Pak China Business Forum was inaugurated by Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Minister for Education, Rana Mashood Hussain, appreciated the efforts of COMSATS on the successful conduction of Pak China Business Forum where around 800 delegates from China participated.