The United States will work with the Pakistani government to invest in clean energy to expand that country’s electricity system to 30 million more people.
The White House on Thursday announced the U.S.-Pakistan Clean Energy Partnership to kickstart more clean energy investments in Pakistan by the private sector. The goal is to add 3,000 megawatts of clean energy power to Pakistan’s electrical system.
“The new partnership continues the joint efforts by the United States and Pakistan to sustainably address Pakistan’s energy needs,” according to a White House fact sheet. “The partnership also reflects Pakistan’s commitment to help curb climate change, particularly as Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to its effects.”
Areas of cooperation envisioned under the U.S.-Pakistan Clean Energy Partnership to address the current and future energy needs of Pakistan are:
- Catalyze private-sector energy investments: The United States will provide technical assistance, risk guarantees, and targeted investments in supporting energy infrastructure (e.g., transmission lines) to enhance Government of Pakistan (GOP) efforts to attract private funding.
- Highlight Pakistan’s energy opportunities: The Pakistani and the U.S. governments will hold a Clean Energy Business Opportunities Conference in December 2015.
- Improve energy resource development planning: The U.S. Department of Energy and three of its research laboratories will collaborate with Pakistan to develop an energy sector-wide Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for energy.
- Promote energy efficiency: Support the creation of an Industrial Energy Efficiency Expertise Center with collaboration of the Institute of Architects of Pakistan and a Pakistani university, and carry out an Energy Efficiency pilot project.
- Facilitate regional cooperation in clean energy: The U.S.-Pakistan Clean Energy Partnership will help facilitate dialogue with regional countries on potential cooperation in clean energy through cooperative programs like CASA-1000.
- Foster a new generation of Pakistani energy leaders: Through the U.S.-Pakistan Centers for Advanced Studies in energy, USAID has funded a partnership between Arizona State University, the National University of Sciences and Technology, and the University of Engineering & Technology-Peshawar to develop innovative energy research and solution hubs, partnering with both policymakers and industry.