By Adnan Hameed TWA ______ The 'Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry' (OICCI), and Shell Pakistan Limited jointly hosted the Pakistan Energy Symposium. This significant event was produced by the Nutshell Group and took place at a local hotel. The Pakistan Energy Symposium - ‘Powering the Future’ brought together public stakeholders, policymakers, thought leaders, and industry specialists, to chart out a course for Pakistan’s sustainable energy future.

Deliberating on adding renewables to Pakistan’s energy mix Senator Dr. Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Water Resources, said, “Pakistan has sunlight, wind, water, and nuclear energy. We can produce green electricity on a large scale. In 2018, when the strategy was being made, solar energy was 22 cents and wind energy was 23 cents, which has now been reduced to 3 to 5 cents. Pakistan can produce energy using a hybrid system. Battery technology is improving, and if that happens, we can generate electricity from sun, wind, and water.” In his welcome address, Rehan Shaikh, President and CEO, Standard Chartered Pakistan & President, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), highlighted that Pakistan is at a pivotal juncture in its journey towards energy sustainability. Rehan shared that, Energy security and self-sufficiency are the fundamentals of progress and prosperity for any nation. While Pakistan’s power sector has faced issues like circular debt, demand & supply gaps, and rising costs and tariffs, there is huge potential to change the course. With over 300 sunny days in a year, vast wind corridors in Sindh and Baluchistan, and abundant hydropower in the North, Pakistan must capitalize on these green energy resources and move to a sustainable energy mix.” In his opening address, Waqar Siddiqui, CEO & Managing Director, Shell Pakistan Limited, stressed urgent action to achieve sustainability. “Pakistan is at a critical economic juncture, and to steer the country on a sustainable trajectory, resolving the energy puzzle is of utmost importance. There is tremendous opportunity for growth in the energy sector of the world’s 5th most populous country, with sizable potential for investment. What we propose are partnerships and solutions that seek to shape the energy future of Pakistan.” Rabia Shoaib Ahmad, Director & CEO, Nutshell Group, added that by fostering innovation and leveraging partnerships, we can pave the way for a resilient and energy-efficient Pakistan. In her remarks, she said, “To help highlight the issues of the investors, to create an enabling environment, and to help promote a healthy investment climate for foreign investors in Pakistan, Nutshell Group has been working with the OICCI for over a decade. Nutshell Group is known for curating dialogues on critical sectors of the economy and bringing together multiple stakeholders under one roof, providing platforms for collective thought, value-adding debate, and devising result-oriented, actionable solutions.” During his address at the Pakistan Energy Symposium, Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, CEO, K-Electric, highlighted the numerous opportunities in Pakistan’s energy sector. He said, “While Pakistan has competitively low energy purchase prices, we still face significant challenges such as high-capacity charges and circular debt, unlike other countries. The strategic shift towards utilizing our abundant coal reserves and transitioning to indigenous resources will result in reduced energy costs and enhanced self-sufficiency. Notably, K-Electric’s zero contribution to the circular debt highlights the importance of privatization and thus sets a roadmap for other distribution companies to follow." Moonis also discussed K-Electric's renewable energy initiatives, adding, “We remain committed to achieving the vision of increasing our share of renewables to 30% in KE's energy mix by 2030. We are garnering significant interest from foreign and local investors on our renewable energy projects which are part of our long-term Power Acquisition Program. This is very encouraging for K-Electric as well as for the power sector of Pakistan at large.” Dr. Nazir Abbas Zaidi, Secretary General, Oil Companies Advisory Council, recommending possible solutions for the structural issues to unleash the possibilities of the power sector said, “Implement rules to curb the inflow of smuggled products, close approximately 2,500 illegal retail outlets immediately, roll out new explosives rules and remove non-aligned rules/standards between OGRA and Department of Explosives. Oil Marketing Companies should have their licenses extended by OGRA for 30 years as per initial application, the building of strategic stocks to ensure energy security, fast-tracking infrastructure upgradation around oil storage areas, and one window solution for all required regulatory approvals.” Sharing recommendations on how LNG can fuel Pakistan’s economic progress, Mazhar Hasnani, CEO, Engro Vopak & Engro Elengy Terminals Limited, said, “We aim to expand LNG infrastructure and deregulate the market, devise solutions to curb gas circular debt, establish new LNG terminals to bridge the supply-demand gap, create an LNG taskforce for streamlined regulatory approvals, develop strategic onshore LNG terminals for long-term supply security, and address pipeline capacity issues by leveraging declining gas production and new pipeline development.” The session titled Unlocking the Opportunities in the Oil & Gas Sector was moderated by Faisal Iftikhar, Head of Supply Operations, Shell Pakistan Limited and included Masroor Khan, Chairman, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA); Ahmed Zahid Zaheer, Country Chairman & General Manager, Chevron Pakistan Lubricants (Private) Limited; Adil Khattak, CEO, Attock Refinery Limited; Habib Haider, Director Corporate Relations, Shell Pakistan Limited; Asrar Muhammad, VP, Finance and Commercial, United Energy Pakistan Limited, as the esteemed panelists. Referring to Pakistan’s vast untapped reserves of oil and gas, particularly in the Indus Basin and offshore areas, the discussants concurred on the need for significantly increased investment in exploration and production activities. Enhancing exploration activities can reduce the country’s reliance on imported energy, which currently leads to a substantial trade imbalance. The session on, Unearthing the Potential of Pakistan’s Power Sector, was moderated by Palwasha Ahsan Riar, Head of Learning, Asia Pacific, Shell Pakistan Limited. The panelists comprised Aftab Mahmood Butt, CEO, Kot Addu Power Company Limited; Ruhail Muhammad, CEO, Lucky Electric Power Company; Ali Khizar, Head of Research, Business Recorder; Amir Iqbal, CEO, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company; and Dr. Khalid Waleed, Head of Energy and Climate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. The panelists concurred on the criticality of expanding renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind into the energy mix. Referring to the ambitious 30/30 plan that entailed increasing the share of renewables in the electricity generation mix to 30% by 2030- equivalent to around 24,000 megawatts, the experts highlighted its multiple benefits, including lower electricity costs, enhanced energy security, reduced carbon emissions, and significant economic savings. In his vote of thanks, M Abdul Aleem, Secretary General, Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI), said, “As we conclude the Pakistan Energy Symposium - ‘Powering the Future’, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all participants, stakeholders, policymakers, and industry experts for their invaluable contributions. Together, we have laid the foundation for a discourse on a sustainable energy future in Pakistan, driving innovation, collaboration, and progress. Let us continue to work hand in hand to harness the power of renewable energy, technology, and policy to shape a brighter tomorrow for generations to come. Thank you for your unwavering commitment and support.”