Pakistan Energy and Climate Insights Dashboard Launched 

Pakistan has long struggled with a scarcity of reliable data, making it difficult to access and analyze essential information for effective decision-making. In this challenging landscape, Renewables First has taken a significant step by not only curating crucial energy data but also compiling it into a comprehensive resource for the nation’s progress.  

The newly launched PECI dashboard, along with the accompanying study, seeks to fill this data gap by promoting data-driven decision-making and supporting the development of sustainable energy policies for Pakistan’s future. 

This Thursday, Pakistan’s pioneering “Pakistan Energy and Climate Insights” (PECI) dashboard was launched, along with the release of the second edition of the study “Powering Pakistan’s Future: Pathways to Optimize Affordable and Sustainable Electricity Generation Beyond IGCEP 2024-34” during the event “From Data to Decisions” co-hosted by Renewables First (RF) and the Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED) in Islamabad. 

The event began with a keynote speech by the Dr. Fiaz Chaudry, Chairman of NTDC, who emphasized the importance of adhering to the least-cost approach in energy planning, noting, “Unfortunately, we have not been following this principle.” He remarked that the energy sector is complex, stating, “It is not child’s play.”  

He explained that while generation, transmission, and distribution may seem straightforward, they involve significant challenges that require thorough study and strategic planning. He stressed the need to ensure the security of electricity supply, pointing out that the current demand profile does not align with procurement practices. “We don’t provide a true picture of actual demand,” he said. The key, he concluded, is finding the right balance between planning, security, and management. 

Pakistan’s first Energy and Climate Dashboard 

The PECI dashboard consolidates fragmented energy data from various sources, presenting information in a user-friendly, interactive digital format covering data from 2004 to 2024, i.e., two decades of data. With interactive and visual data representations, it allows better understanding of key trends and projections in the power sector. “It simplifies complex energy information, making it accessible for everyone involved in addressing Pakistan’s energy crisis,” said Rabia Babar, Head of the Data Team at RF. 

Regarding the importance of data, Aditya Lolla, Asia Programme Director, Ember, emphasized that it could guide investors on potential opportunities, incentives, and risk mitigation strategies, thereby attracting new funding. He also cited examples from other parts of Asia to illustrate how data-driven approaches have successfully de-risked investments and boosted investor confidence. 

Representatives from key organizations, including NTDC, NEPRA, and CPPAG, along with other stakeholders, participated enthusiastically. They shared valuable suggestions on how the platform could be improved and praised PECI as a strong starting point in addressing the data availability challenges faced by both local and international organizations. They also highlighted the platform’s potential to raise awareness among non-technical stakeholders and enhance their understanding as well. 

Powering Pakistan’s Future: Cost-Effective Scenarios for a Brighter Tomorrow 

The second edition of RF and PRIED’s study, “Powering Pakistan’s Future: Pathways to Optimize Affordable & Sustainable Electricity Generation” was also launched offering an in-depth critique of the third edition of the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) prepared by the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC). The study highlighted several shortcomings in the IGCEP, including missing tariff assumptions, a lack of transparency, and overcommitted power projects that do not follow the least cost criteria, “Despite a massive reduction in the demand forecast around 20GW of the capacity is considered committed in the IGCEP leaving no room for the optimization of cheaper power projects ” said Ubaidullah Khan, the research lead of the study adding, “Our study suggests that considering the impact of solarization and demand reduction, existing installed capacity is sufficient to meet the future demand. If the impact of rooftop solar is included in the VRE share, Pakistan can easily meet the ambitious ARE policy targets.” 

Additionally, the report highlighted the government’s disregard for rooftop solar systems, net metering, and the growing shift of industrial and residential consumers away from the national grid. In response to these issues, RF and PRIED proposed an alternative IGCEP with multiple scenarios, demonstrating how to achieve a 20 percent share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix, even with the existing grid constraints. 

Adapting to a Changing Energy Landscape 

The panel discussion explored strategies for optimizing sustainable and affordable electricity generation in Pakistan. Syed Faizan Ali Shah highlighted a misalignment between centralized generation expansion and declining energy demand due to the rise of decentralized solar, which drives up tariffs. He stressed that future projects must follow a least-cost approach to avoid burdening consumers. 

Abubakr Ismail called for urgent policy adaptation to keep pace with geopolitical shifts and technological advancements, including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) policy and pricing mechanisms for behind-the-meter solar. The discussion also emphasized modernizing the grid with smart meters and SCADA systems to enhance stability and renewable integration.