Islamabad: Under the ‘Green Presidency Initiative’, the President’s House in Islamabad is now running on solar energy.
President Dr Arif Alvi inaugurated the 1 Megawatt Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels at the ‘Aiwan-e-Sadr’ the official title of the president’s house in Islamabad.
The solar energy system has the capacity of generating 1.4 million units of green electricity annually and is installed in partnership with a private entity Engro Corporation.
According to the President’s House, the initiative with a net metering system contributing 100 per cent surplus energy to the national grid, will lead to an annual decrease of 1,450 tons of CO2 emissions and an annual contribution of PKR32 million (Dh743,468) to the national exchequer.
Pakistan to promote hydro, solar, wind energy projects
Addressing the ceremony, President Alvi said Pakistan was committed to realising the untapped renewable energy potential – in hydro, solar, and wind – and to shift its energy mix to 60 per cent clean energy by 2030.
He stressed the need to utilise alternative sources for power generation to fully achieve the goals of clean and green energy. Switching to renewable energy was vital to reduce the impact of climate change, the president said.
First Parliament in world converted on solar energy
Earlier in 2016, Pakistan’s Parliament House became the first legislature in the world to move to green energy. The entire electricity system of the Parliament House has been shifted to solar power with a 1.8 MW solar power plant.
Billion Tree Tsunami
Alvi also mentioned that the Billion Tree Tsunami project by the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan was a step in the right direction for preservation of natural resources of the country.
He said a balanced ecosystem strategy was important to control the depletion of natural resources.
In line with further green measures for the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said a plantation of 10,000 saplings was under consideration besides raising a vertical forest by one of its walls.
Also, the restoration of roof-window panels of the presidency that were earlier meant to get sunlight is also under consideration to save natural resources, he added.
Islamabad parks to be developed in Miyawaki style
He said plantations at the select parks of Islamabad in Miyawaki style would prove conducive for the environment.
President Engro Corporation Ghias Khan said the green strategy was an important pillar of development, adding that the initiative would contribute to the mitigation of environmental hazards.
