Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan’s leading higher education institution, recently hosted a seminar titled “Advancing Pakistan’s Power Sector through Strategic Investments and Digitisation.” The seminar brought together renowned energy experts, researchers, and academics to delve into the transformative potential of strategic investments and digital solutions in overcoming challenges faced by Pakistan’s power sector, including power shortages, distribution inefficiencies, and outdated infrastructure.
Organized by the LUMS Energy Institute (LEI), the seminar aimed to foster solution-driven strategies and opportunities for innovation to address the energy sector’s pressing issues. Panelists emphasized the importance of confidence-building measures to attract local and international investments in the sector, highlighting the need for investment-friendly and consistent policies for long-term and sustainable impact.
The panel discussion featured distinguished experts, including Dr. Fiaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Professor Werner-Von-Siemens Chair and Director of LEI; Dr. Naveed Arshad, Associate Professor and Co-Founder of LEI; Mr. Amer Zia, Advisor to CEO at K-Electric; Mr. Nauman Ahmad Zaffar, Project Director at National Incubation Centre Lahore; Dr. Basit Shafiq, Head of Computer Science Department at LUMS; Ms. Sadia Dada, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at K-Electric, and Mr. Kashif Shehzad, Chief Technology Officer at Power Information Technology Company (PITC).
During the seminar, Ms. Dada shared K-Electric’s investment plan of PKR 484 billion for the next seven years, aiming to add 2,172 MW to its generation capacity, including 1,182 MW from renewable sources. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to innovation in distribution through the implementation of Advanced Distribution Management System, Mobile Workforce Management, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence to enhance the customer experience.
Dr. Chaudhry emphasized the need for energy-efficient and sustainable buildings to reduce the excessive demand for cooling, which currently contributes significantly to Pakistan’s circular debt. Dr. Arshad stressed the importance of increased funding for meeting climate goals, highlighting the potential of clean technology to provide employment opportunities for the youth while mitigating climate change.
Mr. Zia emphasized the long-term impacts of digitization and new technologies, calling for patience and investment in the future. K-Electric is prioritizing the development of an automated decision-making process and focusing on decarbonization through renewable energy sources.
The seminar also highlighted the crucial role played by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the energy sector, as noted by Dr. Gul Muhammad, Director of the Centre for Intelligent Systems and Networks Research. He emphasized the significance of energy availability for the adoption of AI and underscored the importance of energy conservation without compromising service quality.
The seminar showcased the LUMS Energy Institute’s commitment to fostering solution-oriented discourse and addressing Pakistan’s energy crisis through research and innovation.
