Pakistan

Experts call cap on solar energy ‘insane’ | The Express Tribune

Published

4 مہینے ago

مئی 21, 2024

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ISLAMABAD:

While criticising the government for reversal of its net metering policy, energy experts have described the move to limit the rollout of solar energy as “insane”.

Speaking at a roundtable on solar net metering, the experts demanded an urgent holistic revamp of the existing policy for promoting solar energy as the cheapest electricity resource amid growing consumer demand.

The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and the Energy Update jointly organised the roundtable discussion on “Solar net metering conundrum: adapting solar net metering to evolving market dynamics in Pakistan”.

Former National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) chairman Tauseef Farooqi remarked that floodgates had been opened and no one could stop the rollout of solar power technology.

“It will be insane to claim that they will put a limit on solar energy rollout as it will not benefit the national grid, however, the manner in which net metering is done should be probed to see whether it is catering to needs of the most deserving communities,” he said.

He added that the cheapest electricity priced at Rs12.3 per unit could be easily injected into the system but the government was buying energy at Rs23 from the elite power producers, the cost of which was being borne by the poorest.

Farooqi suggested that cheapest electricity should be bought by promoting net metering at the community scale with power production at a low cost. People should avoid the misuse of net metering and contribute their share to the clean energy mix, he stressed.

The ex-Nepra chairman underlined the need for bringing a drastic change in the energy mix amid growing solar net metering as solar would compensate in the day time but load would shift in the evening on to the system, which would require high-speed generators to manage the burden.

“We will need peaking plants amid growing net metering whereas the pricing mechanism needs to be shaped to avoid previous mistakes. However, the sector should create an electricity market with a competitive environment,” he said.

In his opening remarks, SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said despite the government’s repeated assurances of no taxes on solar panels and reversing the net metering formula, it was pertinent to work out research-based solutions. He said the policy reversal in the energy sector was not new as the nation had witnessed such a transition while shifting from diesel-based vehicles to CNG-powered vehicles.

Owing to technology transformation, Suleri mentioned, solar panels were becoming affordable, which would further expedite the rollout of solar energy while policy reversal was on the cards.

The SDPI executive director emphasised that it was the duty of the think tank to initiate well-informed discussions on pros and cons of the decision while considering the country’s environmental and other obligations.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2024.

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Related Topics:call cap Electricity energy experts Express insane NEPRA Pakistan solar Solar energy Tribune

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Pakistan

Honda CD70 Dream Latest Price, Installment Plans – Sep 2024 Update – Pakistan Observer

Published

12 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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Honda remains leader in bikes market, with its top-selling units like CD 70, and that’s without making any major changes as the entry-level bikes look almost same for a long time. As the CD-70 remains its most selling model, bikes like the CD-70 Dream and Pridor are considered a niche products.

Despite failing to achieve top sales, CD 70 Dream is still in the market, featuring air-cooled, 4-stroke engine that delivers smooth performance and impressive fuel economy, often averaging around 60-70 km/l, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The bike looks better with stylish and modern design with attractive graphics, as compared to simple CD70. People also like its comfort as built quality remains optimum, comparing to other players.

Its pricing makes it accessible to a wide audience, including students and working professionals, solidifying its status as a favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts in Pakistan.

As bikes prices remain out of hands, people are having hard time to upgrade their ride while companies also face low sales.

Honda CD 70 Dream Price

The price of Honda CD70 Dream is Rs168,900 in September 2024.

Honda CD 70 Dream Installments

Installment Plans	Monthly Payments
3 months	Rs56,300
6 months	Rs28,300
9 months	Rs21,890
12 months	Rs17,200
24 months	Rs10,170
36 months	Rs7,800

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Check Property Ownership in Lahore, other Punjab cities Online – Pakistan Observer

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13 گھنٹے ago

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If you live in Lahore or any other city in Punjab; you might have faced difficulties in getting land record in previous years, but now the government made the land verification process smooth with digitization.

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Step 4: You can search by different options including Bahi number, ID card, registration number, or by person name.

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Suzuki Bolan discontinued in Pakistan after 36 years; Here’s replacement for ‘Carry Dabba’ – Pakistan Observer

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LAHORE – Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Suzuki Bolan as Pak Suzuki pulled plugs to replace the minivan with another model. Over the last 3.5 decades, Suzuki Bolan enjoyed decent sales and was valued for its flexibility, serving a multi-passenger vehicle and for commercial purposes.

Amid shift in auto landscape in Pakistan, Bolan becomes latest drive to be discontinued after Suzuki Mehran, which you can still spot.

Pictures of Suzuki Bolan’s last batch surfaced online, and Pakistanis hit nostalgia as many grew up in this vehicle. The final chassis number marked as 01151691. The country’s oldest automaker and maker of Bolan also confirmed discontinuation of the 800cc Carry Dabba.

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