Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Pakistan’s biggest and only dedicated solar energy exhibition – 9h Edition of SOLAR PAKISTAN organized by FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd. opened its doors on 2nd September 2021 at PC Hotel, Lahore.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Muhammed Akhtar Malik – Minister for Energy Punjab in the presence of Engr. Azaz Ahmad – Managing Director National Transmission & Dispatch Company and Mr. Saleem Khan Tanoli – CEO of FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd.
On this occasion, Minister for Energy Punjab Mr. Muhammad Akhtar Malik stated that “FAKT Exhibitions has taken a wonderful initiative by organizing SOLAR PAKISTAN, He further added it is good to see private institutions helping Government achieve its vision of Clean Green Pakistan. We welcome all exhibiting companies and foresee great potential of renewable energy in Pakistan. I believe this is the right time for our country to go solar and reduce its reliance on expensive source of electricity generation. The Punjab Government extends its full support to make such exhibitions successful”. More over Punjab Govt. has planned to convert all Govt. buildings and education institutes to Green Energy. Govt. of Punjab is establishing its own dispatch and transmission company to ensure the effective supply to Special economic zone under CPEC specially and new housing societies. We are also installing our own LNG terminal at Port Qasim to ensure the gas supply to special economic zones in Punjab.
While talking to journalists Mr. Saleem Khan Tanoli – CEO of FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd expressed. “Expo Centres should be vacated, Government should shift COVID-19 quarantine and vaccination centers to alternate facilities so that international exhibitions can be organized in Pakistan. The exhibitions have been on halt for last two years effecting employment of thousands of people also the country is facing lack of latest machinery and technology, due to which many industries are unable to implement best practices and perform on optimal level. We understand that COVID-19 is a global issue but cannot overlook our economy as exhibitions play a pivotal role in development and economic growth of a country. Europe and other countries such as China and UAE have started organizing exhibitions following SOPs and the same practice should be observed in Pakistan. We urge the Government to vacate Expo Centres and revive exhibitions.”
Pakistan has tremendous potential to generate solar power. According to the World Bank, utilizing just 0.071 percent of the country’s area for solar power generation would meet Pakistan’s current electricity demand. However, despite a number of successful projects, the installed capacity of solar energy in Pakistan, at just over 1,500 Megawatts, is just 4 percent of total capacity, equal to around 2 percent of total generation. Pakistan’s government has set the target to increase VRE to 20 percent of its electricity mix by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.
PV+ Magazine cover launch ceremony also took place during the trade show and its cover was unveiled by Minister for Energy Punjab. On this occasion, he lauded the efforts of FAKT Exhibitions (Pvt.) Ltd. for taking this step which will facilitate and update the renewable energy industry on both national and international level.
The three day mega exhibition received an overwhelming response, more than 100 companies participated and displayed a wide and exquisite range of innovative technologies and solutions for the solar energy industry. SOLAR PAKISTAN exhibition will last till 6th September 2021 and is expected to attract around 5,000 trade visitors, providing them an ideal opportunity to get acquainted with innovative and state of the art technologies.
