US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) of NUST and The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have joined hands to launch first biomass cluster in Pakistan.
The launch of Pakistan’s first biomass cluster marks a new beginning of leveraging the valued indigenous networks of energy equipment manufacturers, small and medium scale industries with ever growing energy needs, farmers, research groups, academia, and financial institutions for the penetration of cost-effective and renewable source of fuel.
All these stakeholders are eager to contribute to national economic growth and this cluster is just a step in the right direction. While on the one hand, the vision for this cluster is aligned with NUST’s emphasis on energy Tech and agri Tech sectors.
It also resonates with the SDGs designed by the UN as well as GoP’s goal of 30% contribution of renewable energy in the country’s power portfolio.
The idea of setting up a biomass cluster metamorphosed into its formal launch at NUST, as a result of a collaborative project of the three stakeholders to demonstrate technical feasibility and commercial viability of modern biomass to energy conversion technologies in Pakistan. The project is aligned with the Government of Pakistan’s goal for 30% renewable energy contribution to the country’s power portfolio by the year 2030.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Pakistan, Mr Knut Ostby, graced the occasion as chief guest.
Stressing the need for adopting biomass as a clean, green and affordable source of energy in an agricultural country like Pakistan, he remarked that initiatives such as the launch of Pakistan Biomass Cluster at NUST resonate with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).