The United States will work with the Pakistani government to invest in clean energy to expand that country’s electricity system to 30 million more people.
The White House on Thursday announced the U.S.-Pakistan Clean Energy Partnership to kickstart more clean energy investments in Pakistan by the private sector. The goal is to add 3,000 megawatts of clean energy power to Pakistan’s electrical system.
“The new partnership continues the joint efforts by the United States and Pakistan to sustainably address Pakistan’s energy needs,” according to a White House fact sheet. “The partnership also reflects Pakistan’s commitment to help curb climate change, particularly as Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to its effects.”
Since 2009, the U.S. has worked with Pakistan through the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. The U.S. has spent more than $1 billion since then to support energy infrastructure investments, leading to 1,700 more megawatts of power in Pakistan’s electrical grid.
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Due to the U.S.-Pakistan partnership, 19 million more Pakistanis have power than in 2009 and Pakistani distribution companies have seen their annual revenue grow by $200 million, according to the White House.
The goals of the latest partnership agreement are to strengthen Pakistan’s regulatory agencies, develop an investment plan for clean energy systems, expand transmission capacity for clean energy and generate more loans, grants and other ways to manage and reduce risk for investors.
