PGREF enables cooperation and knowledge exchange between a multitude of stakeholders from the private sector, research, academia, public sector, and politics on both macro- and micro-level via its working groups and task forces.
The Task Forces – Incubating the sustainable energy transition in Pakistan
The Task Forces are the engine of the Pakistan-German Renewable Energy Forum. In small task teams, experts from Pakistani and German companies can develop ideas and innovations that lead to concrete opportunities as well as collaborations – guided and supported by the PGREF and its political stakeholders in Germany and Pakistan. The Task Forces integrate the decade-long experience of German companies in renewable energy and energy efficiency technology with the market knowledge and innovative potential of the Pakistani renewable energy industry, aiming at further developing the renewable energy market in Pakistan, as well as generating opportunities for our partners.
Task Force "Flexible grid infrastructure and management"
The large-scale deployment of renewable energy requires a flexible grid infrastructure, with an extensive capacity for grid balancing. The task force “Flexible grid infrastructure and management” elaborates on what concretely is needed to reach a high level of grid flexibility in Pakistan.
Task Force “Tenders and project finance"
A clear and comprehensive framework for tenders and project finance is key to establishing a conducive climate for investors in renewables. The task force “Tenders and project finance” applies its know-how in the field to come up with measures to optimize legal tenders and the financing of projects.
Task Force “Manufacturing and trade"
Pakistan already disposes of a thriving manufacturing sector that plays a key role in its economy. Establishing a manufacturing industry for renewable energy technologies could increase the export of high-quality products and lead to a trade surplus. The “Manufacturing and trade” task force brings in expertise from a broad range of companies to develop local industries for renewable energy technologies and boost local value creation.
Task Force "Rural electrification and off-grid solutions"
In 2020, 39% of the rural population in Pakistan still lacked access to electricity. Grid electricity is expensive and building transmission lines in remote areas is challenging. The task force “Rural electrification and off-grid solutions” taps the potential for renewable energies to ensure full, cheap, and reliable access to electricity in Pakistan.
Task Force "Smart cities"
20% of the population of Pakistan lives in cities, including large metropolitan areas like Karachi, Lahore, or Islamabad. Smart city technologies can help cities in Pakistan improve and optimize transportation, infrastructure, and public utilities in a sustainable manner. The “Smart cities” task force gathers ideas and suggests measures to create truly Smart Cities in Pakistan.
Task Force “Net-zero industry"
Renewable energy can be widely applied in industrial applications and provide energy-efficient and carbon-neutral solutions in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. The task force “Net-zero industry” delivers well-aligned measures on how to increase the deployment of renewables and energy efficiency in the industrial sector in Pakistan.
Task Force “Biomethane and CNG"
Pakistan has enormous potential for the large-scale production of biomethane, a C02-neutral alternative to natural gas produced by agricultural waste. The task force dedicated to “Biomethane and CNG” helps Pakistan to unfold its potential in the sector.
Task Force “R&D cooperation and education"
A transition towards renewable energies requires innovation and a skilled workforce. International cooperation between universities and developing educational programmes for renewable energies can spur innovation and lead to a large number of highly qualified jobs in the renewable energy sector.
The Working Groups – Providing the bigger picture
The two PGREF Working Groups are the testing ground for the ideas developed by the Task Forces. They are a multi-stakeholder forum with key actors from politics, industry, civil society, and academia. The Working Groups gather twice a year to refine the proposals of the task forces into directly implementable practical solutions. The Steering Committee consists of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Energy (MoE) of Pakistan. It gathers once a year to make final decisions regarding the proposals put forward by the Working Groups, turning the ideas of PGREF into reality.
