BACKGROUND
Energy access plays an essentially critical role in socio-economic development of a country, since all human activities including education, health, agriculture, and employment require unsustainable energy for proper functioning. However, despite its essential needs, more than 50 million population in Pakistan lacks access to reliable electricity while more than 50% population does not have access to clean fuel and technologies. This challenge is most significant particularly in the HKH region due to poor energy infrastructure, low technology index, and connectivity issues. Lack of a diverse array of energy options in these regions has hampered the fight against social uplifting of the community particularly for the rural poor and women. While many governmental and non-governmental initiatives have been undertaken, a major challenge still lies in policy and regulatory frameworks that could mobilize and fast track a rapid uptake of energy access in these areas.
Since extending the national grid to each especially in the mountain regions has financial and technical challenges, microgrids have gained popularity for provision of electricity in such remote areas. These grids are already playing a critical role in transformation of conventional energy supply systems to future energy system through use of renewable energy resources especially solar, wind, and MHPPs (Mini/micro hydro power plants). As per the global case studies, micro grids are tailor-made, efficient, and are designed & executed as per local conditions and to accommodate the energy needs of the targeted community. Decentralized renewable energy solutions can be extensively deployed across this region to provide a better economic solution to the existing challenges. Further, the co-benefits of Productive use of Renewable Energy (PURE) can provide significant social benefits including local job creation and women empowerment in these regions. Scope and Objectives To discuss the existing energy challenges in the HKH region of Pakistan and analyze the way forward for increased energy access, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in collaboration with Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad is organizing this consultative discussion which aims to bring together the relevant stakeholders from Public Sector, Private Sector, CSOs, and International Institutions working in the region.
Key Objectives of the discussion Include
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