Large scale RE projects should be encouraged.

Byline: KHALIL AHMED

Interview with Muhammad Abbas Sajid - former Chairman, Renewable and Alternative Energy Association of Pakistan, Karachi Chapter

PAGE: Tell me something about yourself and your organization, please:

Muhammad Abbas Sajid: I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer from the NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan in 1983 and studied Business Management at the Joseph M. Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh, USA. I am a Registered Professional Engineer with the Pakistan Engineering Council and CEO of a Mechanical Engineering Company in Pakistan by the name of Engineering Services since 1984, dealing in design and installation of Air conditioning, Plumbing, Fire Fighting, Solar Energy and Telecommunication systems.

I am a Past President and senior member of Pakistan HVACR Society and am also the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award from Pakistan HVACR Society. I have been a member of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) for more than 20 years and have also served as the Sub Regional Chair (South Asia) for ASHRAE and as a President of the ASHRAE Pakistan Chapter. I currently serve on the Nominating committee and the Honors and Awards Committee of ASHRAE and am the Chair of the Honors and Awards committee for ASHRAE Region at Large. I have been a past Chairman of Renewable and Alternative Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP) Karachi Chapter.

I am the General Secretary of NED International Alumni Network (NEDIAN) Association. I am the General Secretary of CNG Station Owner's Association of Pakistan, and the General Secretary of Pakistan Society of Plumbing Professionals. I am a senior member of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Member of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce. I am also member of Institution of Engineers Pakistan (IEP). I also serve on the Senate and Industrial Advisory Board of NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi.

PAGE: Our country needs renewable energy desperately. How would you comment on it?

Muhammad Abbas Sajid: Absolutely there is no other way for Pakistan and the world but to shift towards renewable energy as quickly as possible especially with the current spike in oil prices around the globe. Pakistan should encourage large scale renewable energy projects with banks giving soft loans to the private sector companies to set up IPPs and provide low cost electricity to the private...