LUMS Energy Institute (LEI), a hub for research and capacity building in Pakistan’s energy sector, has unveiled a report titled “Sustainable Architecture: Advancing Energy Efficient Buildings.” The report delves into the pressing energy challenge in Pakistan and proposes that adopting energy-efficient practices in residential construction can substantially reduce energy loads.
Addressing policymakers, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders, Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director of LUMS Energy Institute, emphasized the need for change, stating,
“Pakistan’s massive expenditure of nearly USD 100 billion on power plants, mainly for summer cooling loads, is unsustainable. By embracing energy-efficient practices, we can cut cooling loads by at least 50%, resulting in substantial savings.”
The report sheds light on the seasonal fluctuation in electricity consumption, particularly the surge in cooling loads during hot summer months, necessitating an additional 18,000 MW of power plant capacity. This excess capacity, often underutilized throughout the rest of the year, imposes a staggering cost of nearly $100 billion on the national economy, leading to capacity payment obligations exceeding PKR 2 trillion. This operational inefficiency becomes a financial burden on a sector that contributes minimally to the country’s GDP growth.
The report provides a comprehensive exploration of locally available materials, Building Information Modelling (BIM) results, and cost-benefit analysis, offering a roadmap for stakeholders, homeowners, the construction industry, and regulatory bodies to embrace sustainable practices. It delves into various residential types, including 5 Marla row houses, 10 Marla semi-detached houses, and 1 Kanal fully detached homes. The study reveals that energy-efficient building insulation is crucial in reducing cooling loads, with energy-efficient fans, appliances, and geothermal solutions offering significant load reductions. Additionally, the integration of solar panels in energy-efficient homes presents a compelling case, potentially lowering installation costs by 50%.
The report’s unveiling gathered a notable audience of policymakers, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders in the energy and construction sectors, who commended the LUMS Energy Institute’s efforts. Dr. Chaudhry concluded the event by stating,
“This report is not merely an academic exercise; it is a blueprint for the future of sustainable architecture in Pakistan. We aim to inspire change in how buildings are designed and constructed, prioritizing environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.”
