Energy Plus: AKF and EU launch €35m programme to improve access to clean energy for 350,000 people in northern Pakistan

At its core, the Energy Plus programme seeks to promote renewable energy solutions, enhance natural resources management, and support rural communities to build climate resilience. The programme has three key outcomes, outlined below:

Enabling renewable energy transition

A sustainable transition to renewable energy will involve the establishment of increased renewable energy generation capacity (up to 3.4 MW), the optimisation of electricity transmission and distribution networks, and the enhancement of access to reliable and affordable electricity for residential, public, and commercial use. Additionally, Energy Plus aims to create green economic opportunities, particularly for women and youth, through the establishment of eight renewable energy-powered technological hubs and more than 140 enterprises.

Enhancing natural resources management

Energy Plus will enhance natural resources management through the development and dissemination of improved plans for effective adaptation measures, integrating ecosystem and biodiversity management at the community level. AKF will partner with communities to plant more than 2.5 million trees in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral to mitigate environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and severe deforestation.

Strengthening sustainable development

The programme will strengthen the capacity of public and civil society stakeholders for sustainable development planning. This will involve promoting energy efficient building designs (such as thermal insulation) and identifying 38 public buildings – including health facilities and schools – to ‘green retrofit’, providing a strong foundation for sustainable development. Energy Plus will also promote economic development by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and supply chains to use electricity more efficiently. This will include digitalising processes and collaborating with government partners in the energy and natural resources management sectors to support policy making and implementation.

To implement the programme, AKF will partner with other Aga Khan Development Network agencies and affiliates including Northern Pakistan Energy Limited, a subsidiary of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development; the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat; the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme; and Accelerate Prosperity.

Collaboration with the Government of Pakistan is central to Energy Plus – a programme which aligns with Pakistan’s national priorities and commitments to international agreements such as the Paris Agreement. By promoting renewable energy adoption and fostering sustainable development practices, the programme will contribute to Pakistan’s efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change impacts, and achieve sustainable development goals.

Energy Plus represents a holistic approach to addressing the cross-cutting challenges of energy access, climate change, and sustainable development. By fostering collaboration between communities, the private sector, and policymakers, and leveraging renewable energy solutions whilst promoting inclusive growth, Energy Plus will pave the way for a greener future for the residents of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral.

This is a project funded by the European Union implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.