Karachi, June 12, 2025: Committed to promoting localisation and innovation in the energy sector, K-Electric (KE) on Wednesday concluded the Grand Finale of the Energy Progress & Innovation Challenge (EPIC) 2025.
After a rigorous screening and pitching process, the top three projects were selected out of 10 and were awarded PKR 1.5 million, PKR 1 million, and PKR 750,000, respectively.
The first prize was awarded to a team from NUST for their innovative tamper-proof PMT-based load shedding solution. The team was led by Abdul Hadi and Syed Abdul Haseeb Ali, while the second position was secured by Government College University Faisalabad’s team led by Dr Abdul Rauf Bhatti and Tallataf Rasheed for their automation of demand forecasting using artificial neural networks. The third place went to NED University’s team comprising of Shariq Shaikh, Sohaibuddin, M. Waleed, Mubashir Ali, for developing an optimised AI model for accurate electricity demand forecasting.
The winners were selected by esteemed jury members including Maha Qasim – Founder & CEO, Zero-point Partners, Shehryar Omar – Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Institute of Pakistan, Shehryar Hydri – Managing Director, Endeavor Pakistan, Amir Iqbal – CEO, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, Tara Uzra Dawood – CEO, LADIESFUND Energy, Inam ur Rehman – President, Disrupt.com, Shaista Ayesha – CEO, SEED Ventures, Sheikh Imran ul Haque – Former MD, PSO, Jehan Ara – Founder & CEO, Katalyst Labs, Nadeem Shaikh – Founder and Managing Partner, Neem, and Syed Azfar Hussain – Project Director, National Incubation Center, Karachi
Elated at the occasion, Moonis Alvi, CEO K-Electric, said, “EPIC 2025 represents KE’s broader commitment to shaping the future of energy through purposeful innovation. As Pakistan’s energy needs grow in complexity, we must go beyond conventional approaches and create space for ideas that can deliver scalable, long-term impact. EPIC is not just about finding solutions—it’s about building the ecosystem that will sustain them.”
“EPIC is not just a platform—it’s a movement,” said Sadia Dada, Chief Distribution & Marcomms Officer at KE. “It’s about turning ideas into action, improving access, reliability, and sustainability for the millions we serve. What makes EPIC truly unique is that it reflects KE’s transformation into a forward-looking utility—one that’s not just adapting to the future but actively helping shape it. By investing in innovation today and bringing together bright minds from academia, industry, and startups, we’re solving real-world problems and scaling solutions that can uplift the entire power sector.”
Since its launch in March 2025, EPIC had attracted over 250 applications nationwide and successfully positioned itself as a leading platform dedicated to developing groundbreaking innovations for the energy industry. After an internal jury assessment comprising functional heads, 10 projects were shortlisted to compete at the Grand Finale, presenting solutions ranging from AI-driven demand forecasting to IoT-based fleet management and smart theft detection.
