Pakistan launches policy on renewable energy

The Pakistani government has formally launched the country’s first policy on renewable sources of energy, offering attractive incentives to investors willing to exploit this environment-friendly but largely unexplored sector, especially for power generation. The Policy for the Development of Renewable Energy for Power Generation 2006 has already been approved by the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet. Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaquat Ali Jatoi announced the launch of the policy in December. He said that as a financial incentive to investors, there would be no customs duty or sales tax on equipment and spares meant for initial installation or for expansion of projects. (December 18, 2006)