Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mr. Agha Hassan Baloch said that energy conservation and efficiency is the need of the hour during these testing times for the national economy. The potential of energy conservation and efficiency has not been fully realized while approaching the challenges of Energy-Water-Food security in Balochistan where agriculture sector is under tremendous pressure due to high energy costs and natural calamities. He said this while chairing a seminar here on ‘Promoting Conservation and Efficiency in Energy-Water Nexus of Balochistan organized by the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. The Federal Minister appreciated the institutionalization of energy efficiency and conservation in the country and directed that NEECA and relevant federal departments shall work hand in hand with the provincial departments of Balochistan to conduct solarization of tube-wells across the province. He also appreciated the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations for launching a five-year programme worth 40 million Euro in Balochistan on revival of water resources of Balochistan. He also directed that development programmes shall be designed and launched for the agriculture and water sector of Balochistan and a donors’ conference shall be launched in Balochistan to finance these development programmes especially tube-well solarization and development of water reservoirs. Further, he informed that NEECA under his guidance is working with provincial departments to establish Balochistan Energy Efficiency and Conservation Angency (BEECA) in the province. Managing Director NEECA, Dr. Sardar Mohazzam said that the surge in energy prices, exchange rate volatility, increasing demand for energy, and depleting resources necessitates actions at both federal and provincial level to opt for higher energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) measures. Balochistan faces a severe challenge of resource constraints especially with regards to energy and water sectors. He informed that improvement in energy efficiency and conservation is one of the easiest and least cost-effective pathways to improve the sustainability of these sectors where 10 to 15% saving can be achieved. He said that energy-water-food nexus approach shall be adopted to respond to which can conserve resources for Balochistan through more efficient technologies and bring forth policy support for institutionalization of EE&C in Balochistan. Additional Secretary, Energy Department Balochistan Mr. Muhmmad Ayub informed the participants that electricity at existing slab rates is not affordable for masses due to socio-economic conditions in Balochistan and extreme temperature variations. It was informed that the agriculture tube-well consumers are only 4% but they consume 74% electricity. He said that there is a need to rally support at federal and provincial level to focus on improving energy efficiency and access to renewable energy (solar, wind) for agriculture tube-wells. This will reduce energy costs to the farmers. Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department Balochistan Mr. Qurban Ali Jatoi said that there is a gap between ground water storage and recharge which is widening day by day and stressing the water security of the province. He said that government should devise some regulatory measures which shall strictly govern the efficient use of water resources in the province. Regional Head of Food and Agriculture Organization Mr. Waleed Mahdi recommended that efforts hall be made for improving the water resources planning and regulation of energy subsidy in the province. He said this will greatly help the province in achieving a resilient agriculture sector. Regional Chief ZTBL, Mr. Muhammad Jan Kakar said that ZTBL is extending various credit lines for promotion of agriculture sector of Pakistan especially Balochistan. He confirmed Secretary General Balochistan Zamindar Action Committee Mr. Haji Abdul Rahman Bazai, while representing the farmers of Balochistan, appreciated the efforts of Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mr. Agha Hassan Baloch for highlighting the challenges of agriculture sector in the country. The government shall invest in the solarization of the tube wells which will save billions of rupees in energy subsidy along with promotion of tunnel farming and drip irrigation. He said that government was unable to build dams in the past 70 years and yearly 13.5 MAF water is disposed of in the sea which requires building the dams on strategic level especially in Balochistan. Central Labor Secretary, Mr. Moosa Baloch appreciated the objectives of the Seminar and extended full support of his office to the cause of energy efficiency and conservation in Balochistan.
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