The energy policy, aimed at saving expenditures and power, came into effect in Pakistan on Tuesday, as the energy-crunch country deals with the high import bill and worse impacts of climate change.

“This will benefit the country in the long term,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said after announcing the federal cabinet decision in a press conference flanked by Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, and Power Minister Khurram Dastgir.

Pakistan is among those countries where power plants are run on fuel, making it the most expensive item on its annual import bill of around $28 billion. However, the country was planning to produce more electricity via renewable energy after experiencing a shortfall after the trade opened as the Covid-induced restrictions eased around the world, resulting in increased demand.

What will happen under the policy?

• Markets and restaurants to shut down at 8:30pm
• Wedding halls will be closed at 10pm

The implementation of the energy policy would save the country Rs62, the minister said.

“This is not something that is need of the hour,” the defence minister said while explaining that the more than 200 countries across the world apart from Pakistan were operating on routine announced by the government.

He reiterated that people needed to change their habits and alter the use of energy and called for bringing architectural changes.

The federal cabinet symbolically had not switched on any light and opened curtains to work under sunlight. Prime Minister Shehbaz has called for a 30% cut in electricity usage of cabinet institutions and ordered that unnecessary use of electricity should be avoided.

Move to save energy

• Inefficient electricity fans will not be made in factories after July 1, 2030
• Addition duty will be imposed on inefficient fans. It will save up to Rs15 billion for the country
• Incandescent bulbs will not be made after February 1, 2023. Right now these bulbs are manufactured in two factories in Lahore and Peshawar. It will save Rs22 billion for the country
• All federal institutions will use efficient energy appliances

Asif said that 29,000MW of electricity was consumed in the summer season whereas 12,000MW of electricity was used in the winter.

The 17,000MW of extra electricity used in summer was contributed by 5,300MW from air conditioners and 11,700MW from fans (most of which contain inefficient fans that use 120 watts to 130 watts).

“There are fans available in markets that use electricity from 60 watts to 80 watts,” he said, highlighting that 40 watts of fans have also been introduced in the world.

Construction of houses

The government was also bringing amendments to housing construction.

“Here in the sub-continent for thousands of years, buildings were made from garay, chuna, and gypsum. They are still there,” he said. While describing the high maintenance cost of cement, iron, and glass buildings, Asif said that when air conditioners are turned on it cools the wall more than the room. It takes around eight to 10 hours.

There was a need to change building codes for such a need and water harvesting (directly going to the aquifer), he said.

The government has made conical baffles use mandatory. It will be ensured in one year. It was anticipated that it would save Rs92 billion.

Asif said that symbolically alternate streetlights would be kept on, saving up to Rs4 billion for the country.

E-bikes are being introduced in the country in order to curtail the $3 billion of annual oil consumption. The battery-charged bikes would be started gradually.

It would not be a burden but an additional benefit to the people and the state, Asif said.

A special awareness programme would be run on private television channels

The federal cabinet has decided to revise the water rates in provinces.

“We have to abandon this habit [late night opening of markets]. This energy policy is applicable immediately,” he said.

The cabinet has claimed to consult all provinces and stakeholders before implementing the policy.