On an international scale, the shift to renewable energy is essential in order to combat climate change and minimize carbon emissions. Pakistan's increasing energy needs and environmental concerns make the search for renewable energy of equal significance. However, several variables, including the choice of appropriate sites, affect how well renewable energy projects are implemented. The legal, social, and economic factors affecting the location of renewable energy projects in Pakistan are examined in this article, which also places them in the perspective of regional and worldwide developments.
With the help of regulations like the National Electricity Policy 2021 and the Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019 (ARE Policy 2019), Pakistan has created a framework to support renewable energy infrastructure and implementation. These regulations are designed to encourage developers and increase the amount of renewable energy in the country's electrical system. The ARE Policy 2019 places a strong emphasis on the growth of renewable energy projects in regions that have abundant natural resources, like Balochistan's solar-rich areas and Sindh's wind corridors. It does not, however, provide detailed recommendations for the selection of locations, which could lead to ambiguity and disagreement with regional land use regulations during the siting phases of project implementation.
In Pakistan, locating renewable energy projects presents difficulties such as disputed land acquisition in rural areas where environmental issues and displacement occur. To address these difficulties, discussions with the local communities on fair wages and promoting effective outreach are crucial. Some of the issues that concern the local communities are the environmental and social effects of renewable energy infrastructure such as noise pollution from wind farms and habitat degradation from large-scale solar energy facilities. Comprehensive evaluations of the environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) are essential to mitigate local community concerns. Infrastructure and grid proximity are additionally important considerations for technical and economic viability, especially for projects in remote locations.
Pakistan can benefit from the U.S. Solar Energy Innovation Network, which is funded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the U.S. Department of Energy, in order to promote renewable energy in underserved areas and address the issues detailed above with local communities. Through the provision of financial incentives, technical support, and the ability for municipal utilities to claim renewable energy tax credits, this program benefits low-income communities. It has effectively incorporated solar energy into regional grids, resulting in reduced utility costs, and the creation of jobs in underprivileged areas. Similar financial incentives, such as grants, tax credits, and loans, can be used in Pakistan.
Several important proposals are necessary to improve Pakistan's framework for renewable energy policies. Establishing holistic siting rules that take social, environmental, and economic factors into account is necessary. Adequate consultation and compensation are ensured by effective community engagement, which includes benefit-sharing methods such as local employment development. Project viability can be increased by introducing incentives like tax credits, subsidies, and subsidized loans, as seen in India, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission in India provides significant tax advantages and subsidies, whilst the UK's Contracts for Difference () program encourages the production of low-carbon electricity. For unified policy and expedited approvals, increased collaboration amongst federal, provincial, and municipal authorities is necessary. Pakistan can learn from Germany's integrated planning strategy, which successfully strikes a balance between regional requirements and national energy ambitions through the Energiewende policy.
Pakistani renewable energy initiatives must be strategically positioned to take into account social, legal, and economic aspects. Pakistan may promote the sustainable and equitable expansion of its renewable energy sector through the creation of comprehensive siting rules, targeted subsidies, increased intergovernmental collaboration, and strengthened community participation. This strategy will support the nation's larger objectives of climate resiliency and sustainable development in addition to meeting its energy demands.
