Tech-based vision a must to transform Gwadar into energy hub: Experts say at policy dialogue organized by SDPI

ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 (SABAH): Experts at a policy dialogue have said that Gwadar may be made an energy hub, but it is only possible through a technology-based development vision and a community-centric social development approach.

The policy dialogue titled: ‘Gwadar as an Energy Hub of Pakistan: Pathways for Sustainable Development’, was organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) under its Network for Clean Energy Transition (NCET) here.

In his opening remarks, Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, SDPI Executive Director, said the discourse on a unique subject like Gwadar as an energy hub was pertinent and crucial at a time when the new government is about to take office. He further said the development of Gwadar as a port and a modern city has co-benefits that need to be identified. “Due to COVID-19 and unavoidable geopolitical circumstances, Gwadar has not been made functional at its full scale. It is still dependent on electricity imported from Iran whereas to make export zone functional will require more energy,” he maintained.  

Since, the global community has demanded to make three-fold increase in renewable energy (RE) share by 2030 at the COP-28, Pakistan is looking for renewable energy support from China as an excellent candidate for solar and offshore wind energy potential, he said. Gwadar has the potential to become mix of all traditional and renewal energy generation projects, Dr Suleri said, adding that working on this end holistically, particularly its consumption aspects, an efficient utilization and best use of infrastructure should be worked out through discourse. 

Naghman Chaudhry, the former advisor and Strategic Analyst, said that keeping in view the recent developments in the Indian Ocean Region and global geopolitical landscape, it is important for the country to embrace a change of mindset. He underlined that Gwadar is an alternate port that could be used to degravitate Central Asian Republics (CARs) from Russian influence as the Gulf oil reserves were to last not beyond 40 years.  “Since Karachi and Qasim Ports are susceptible to air and land attacks due to close proximity to hostile neighbouring country, Gwadar lied outside the potential war zone and was an ideal hub for trade and investment,” he suggested. 

Dr Scarlet Xiang Yang, Director, China Study Center, National University of Science and Technology, stressed the need to improve regulations, taxation regime, and governance mechanisms to have efficient and well-defined potential forums facilitating investors and navigating dividends for better output. 

Dr Hassan Daud Butt, Associate Professor, Bahria University and former Director CPEC at the Ministry of Planning and Development, stressed the need to find a middle ground between opportunities and challenges to get an alternative plan for a speedy development of Gwadar under CPEC.  

“Women of Balochistan are more pragmatic and participate in decision-making processes whereas the Baloch female students at Quaid-i-Azam University are passing their exams with flying colours, and thus they should be given voice in the policy making process,” he said. He said the progress in Pakistan under CPEC is far better than all other countries that were part of the Belt and Road Initiative. He suggested mobilizing resources towards simultaneous development of the port and the city in Gwadar for a holistic outcome starting from energy and water. 

Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, Chief Executive Officer, Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development, said the total gross regional product of Shenzhen city alone is $482 billion that started its journey from a few million dollars. He stressed the need to study its policy decisions and resource mobilization methods for learning good development models. the life of local people needs to be improved so that they might support the strategic initiatives like CPEC in their areas, he said, adding that only the socio-economic development of Gwadar can ensure sustainable development in the region.

Dr Eram Ashraf, Research Scholar, said there is a scarcity of data on CPEC that needs to be resolved to ensure credible flow of information for better reporting on the gamechanger project. 

“Gwadar is not connected to the national grid, so how it can become energy hub whereas it is important that the policy initiatives should be inclusive that means not only power players, but also local communities should have their input and stakes in the decision-making process. The problems of protesting people, including women, needs to be addressed on priority bases,” she added.