Experts on Thursday explored a decentralised renewable energy model for Pakistan based on locally manufactured wind and solar systems, battery storage and community-level microgrids at a Special Guest Lecture and Consultative Discussion on “Smart Tower Programme for Pakistan.”
Pakistan explores Smart Tower model to advance indigenous renewable energy development
ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP):Experts on Thursday explored a decentralised renewable energy model for Pakistan based on locally manufactured wind and solar systems, battery storage and community-level microgrids at a Special Guest Lecture and Consultative Discussion on “Smart Tower Programme for Pakistan.”
The session focused on exploring pathways for Pakistan’s indigenous power-sector development and formulating a comprehensive roadmap aimed at strengthening energy security, self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on imported energy resources, said a press release.
Dr Gordon, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) MyPlaneta who presented the Smart Tower concept, said the proposed system combined wind generation, solar power and battery energy storage in a modular structure that could be deployed according to local energy requirements.
He said the model could be scaled from individual community applications to larger commercial and industrial requirements, while allowing local production, installation and maintenance capabilities to develop alongside deployment.
Dr Gordon said a basic tower could be assembled by a small team within a few days, while workers could acquire the necessary skills through relatively short training programmes. He said most of the materials and capabilities required for production could potentially be sourced within Pakistan, subject to detailed technical and commercial assessment.
He said the approach could support the development of local workshops, suppliers, installers and other businesses, creating opportunities for employment and skills development in rural communities.
Explaining the proposed configuration, Dr Gordon said the Smart Tower combined solar generation with vertical-axis wind modules and battery storage. The proportion of wind generation could be adjusted according to the wind resource available at a particular location.
He said Pakistan’s solar resource could complement wind generation, while battery storage would help manage the availability of electricity according to demand.
Dr Gordon said digital modelling and digital-twin technology could be used to assess prospective locations and determine suitable system configurations before physical deployment.
He suggested that initial deployment could focus on underserved rural and remote communities where reliable electricity supply remained a challenge, while the model could subsequently expand through regional production and distribution networks.
Participating in the discussion, Irfan Ahmed, renewable energy expert and wind power developer, said the concept of combining local manufacturing with wind, solar and battery storage had potential for Pakistan.
He said Pakistan possessed considerable solar potential, while suitable wind resources existed particularly in parts of Sindh and Balochistan.
Irfan Ahmed said local communities could acquire the skills required for small-scale renewable energy manufacturing, recalling a village-level solar panel assembly initiative in Sindh in which local workers had been trained within weeks.
Ayesha Naeem, Research Assistant at SDPI, working on sustainable energy issues, said local communities should be involved from the initial stages of renewable energy project development.
Referring to findings from field research in wind project areas, she said inadequate consultation could lead to disputes over access to grazing, fishing and agricultural land, while unfulfilled employment expectations could contribute to mistrust between communities and project developers.
She called for meaningful consultation, clear accountability mechanisms, community benefit arrangements and accessible channels for residents to raise concerns during project development and operation.
The panel also discussed the possible application of the Smart Tower concept in small and medium-sized industries, industrial clusters and export-oriented businesses seeking to reduce dependence on fossil-fuel-based electricity.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Gordon said the immediate focus of the proposed model could be on strengthening local communities and businesses rather than relying exclusively on large-scale industrial applications.He said communities could determine their own energy requirements and, after meeting local needs, potentially participate in wider supply chains and electricity markets.
