ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government is working to operationalize Gwadar Port and improve its efficiency by adopting solar-based solutions and cutting its dependence on external energy, state media reported on Wednesday, saying that it has formed a technical sub-committee to review technical aspects of implementing solar power in the port city.
Gwadar city is situated along the Arabian Sea and lies at the heart of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), under which Beijing has funneled tens of billions of dollars into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
Solar-based solutions use sunlight to provide clean energy, power appliances and water pumps. Pakistan, desperate to cut down on its costly fuel imports, has undertaken efforts in recent years to promote the use of solar energy.
Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Chaudhry held a meeting on the port’s operationalization with Gwadar Port Chairman Noorul Haque Baloch and China Overseas Ports Holding Company Chairman My Yu Bo, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said in a report. He confirmed that the government has established a sub-committee featuring officials from several ministries to review technical aspects of implementing solar power in Gwadar.
“The minister outlined the sub-committee’s key duties which include devising an efficient solar panel utilization plan, recommending the installation of solar photovoltaic systems and battery storage solutions for Gwadar’s water facilities and proposing measures to enhance the region’s power supply,” APP reported.
“Moreover, the committee will design solar power distribution systems integrated with storage options to ensure a dependable energy supply for critical infrastructure, including the Gwadar Port Authority,” it continued.
“The initiative seeks to significantly reduce Gwadar’s reliance on external energy by making it self-sufficient through local power sources.”
During the meeting, Chaudhry told the participants that solar-based microgrids with sufficient capacity would be set up at strategic locations to supply power to water pumps and the desalination plant.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s solar initiative for Gwadar would be fully functional to facilitate the establishment of new factories in the Gwadar free zone and provide power to the newly built international airport in the port city.
Chaudhry pointed out that water shortage in Gwadar is acute due to insufficient power, adding that solar energy was vital to protect the industries there.
He also highlighted how the Gwadar fisheries sector saved over a million dollars every year by shifting from diesel to solar power.
Pakistani officials have termed Gwadar’s geostrategic position as the shortest trade route to the Gulf and Central Asia, highlighting its potential to become a regional transshipment hub.
