Punjab, Danish Delegation Discuss Industrial Energy Efficiency and Green Transition

By Dr Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: Secretary Energy Punjab Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti held an important meeting with a Danish delegation under the Government-to-Government (GtG) Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) framework to discuss collaboration on green energy transition, industrial energy efficiency, and sustainable development initiatives.
The Danish delegation included Nadeem Nawaz, Country Manager of the Danish Energy Agency; Fridolin Muller Holm, Consultant at Viegand Maagoe; and Daniya Baseer, Green Diplomacy Officer at the Embassy of Denmark in Islamabad.
During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on industrial reforms aligned with global environmental requirements, promotion of energy conservation, and efficient energy utilization in Punjab’s industrial sector.
It was agreed to prioritize the implementation of ISO 50001-based Energy Management Systems in high energy-consuming industries, develop an effective provincial regulatory framework for energy conservation with Danish technical assistance, and introduce low-cost, high-impact energy efficiency interventions.
The meeting also reviewed proposals for developing sector-specific technical guidelines for key industries, including textiles, cement, food processing, and other major industrial sectors, to facilitate the adoption of modern, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable practices.
Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Energy Punjab Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti said that the Government of Punjab, under the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is taking practical measures for energy efficiency, industrial growth, and environmental protection.
He emphasized that in view of rapidly evolving global decarbonization standards, it has become essential to align Punjab’s export-oriented industrial sector with modern energy standards to maintain competitiveness in international markets.
He further stated that energy conservation in the industrial sector would not only reduce production costs but also contribute significantly to environmental protection, sustainable industrial development, and the promotion of a green economy.
Both sides agreed to jointly work on transforming selected industrial clusters in Punjab into “Model Energy Efficiency Zones.” In this regard, a comprehensive three-year roadmap will be developed comprising clear targets, phased implementation, data-driven monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and specialized training programs aimed at enhancing the capacity of provincial officers and energy auditors.