Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP) has joined hands with Princeton University researchers to initiate a long-term planning framework aimed at guiding Pakistan through a sustainable energy transition. The collaboration was announced during a two-day workshop titled “Pakistan’s Energy Transition Roadmap,” which brought together over 50 participants, including policymakers, researchers, and industry experts.
According to the press release issued Friday, the initiative is being developed in response to Pakistan’s ongoing energy sector challenges, which include rising costs, heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels currently accounting for nearly 60 percent of the energy supply volatility in prices, and a mounting circular debt crisis. Outdated infrastructure, inefficiencies in energy management, and transmission constraints have further compounded these issues, making the need for a clear transition roadmap more pressing.
Drawing from Princeton’s extensive experience with net-zero frameworks, the project will provide Pakistan with practical, data-backed strategies to shift from costly fossil fuels to cleaner, affordable, and more sustainable energy sources. The objective is to align this transition with the country’s broader goals of economic growth and climate resilience. Stakeholders participating in the event underscored the importance of evidence-based decision-making in energy policy development.
Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, while addressing the workshop, highlighted the significance of formalizing collaboration with institutions like CERP to leverage their research capacity and expert insights. He noted that although the Energy and Petroleum Division continues its work independently, integrating real, credible data through partnerships like this is essential for planning effectiveness.
CERP CEO and President Maroof A Syed emphasized that the roadmap is being co-created with a focus on Pakistan’s specific needs and is not about applying one-size-fits-all models. He stated that CERP is committed to ensuring every component of the roadmap is grounded in rigorous, local evidence and tailored to the unique challenges facing the country’s energy ecosystem.
Adding to this, Dr Chris Greig, Senior Research Scientist at Princeton’s Andlinger Centre for Energy and Environment, pointed out that direct engagement with Pakistani stakeholders has helped the research team understand the urgency and complexity of energy transition in the local context. He noted that this input is instrumental in designing development-compatible pathways that consider the socioeconomic realities of the country.
Bilal Anwar, CEO of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund, highlighted how natural disasters and climate-related risks further increase the urgency for robust energy planning to avoid future disruptions and economic burdens. The project aims to address not only the technical and economic dimensions but also environmental and social considerations through a holistic approach.
The roadmap initiative is supported by the Julis-Rabinowitz Centre for Public Policy and Finance at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), which has co-sponsored similar workshops in Pakistan for the past three years. Pallavi Nuka, Associate Director at the Centre, said that earlier workshops focused on capacity building and have since evolved to play a key role in shaping energy policy discussions and partnerships in the country.
This roadmap will now proceed to its next phase, exploring actionable pathways to meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs while reducing dependence on imports and identifying investment opportunities in renewable technologies to support long-term sustainability and climate goals.
