ISLAMABAD – The President House of Pakistan was ranked as the world’s first presidency to get awarded international certification of ISO 50001 Energy Management System.
Under a Green Presidency Initiative, President Dr Arif Alvi successfully cut the energy consumption of presidency by 35 per cent in 2019-2021, according to a statement. By 2022, up to 50% reduction in energy consumption is estimated.
Aiwan-e-Sadr’s energy conservation and solar energy utilisation are equivalent to 3,154,750 KWh, saving Rs72.5 million to the national exchequer.
Moreover, the initiative equates to 3,144 tonnes reduction in green house gases and plantation of 142,909 trees.
After assuming office in 2018, President Alvi had envisioned a Green Presidency Initiative to reduce the presidential secretariat’s energy usage and shift it to renewable energy source.
In July this year, President Alvi inaugurated the 1 Megawatt Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, making it among one of the few presidencies in the world fully powered by green energy.
The solarization project, under the President’s Green Initiative, had been kicked off in partnership with Engro Corporation where a net metering system will contribute 100 percent surplus energy to the national grid.
The initiative will lead to an annual decrease of 1450 tons of CO2 emissions and an annual contribu-tion of Rs 32 million to the national exchequer.
Addressing the ceremony, President Alvi said Pakistan remained committed to realizing the untapped renewable energy potential – in hydro, solar, and wind – and to shift its energy mix to 60 percent clean energy by 2030.
He stressed the need to utilize alternative sources for power generation to fully achieve the goals of clean and green energy.
He said switching to renewable energy was vital to reduce the impact of climate change. President Alvi mentioned that the Billion Tree Tsu-nami project by the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan was another step in the right direction to preserve the natural resources of the country, facing vulnerability to climate change.
