Karachi – LONGi, the global pioneer in green power and green hydrogen solutions, proudly hosted ‘LONGi’s Renewable Energy Forum’ on May 20, 2024 in Karachi. The event brought together key industry leaders, government officials, and visionaries in the field of renewable energy.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome session, followed by an inspiring welcome speech by James Jin, President of LONGi MEA&CA. He underscored LONGi’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s energy transition, emphasizing the significance of LONGi’s green power + green hydrogen capability, differentiated products and solutions, reliable lifecycle quality, value-added services, and LONGi’s bankability in the region. Mr. James also shared LONGi’s dedication to innovative technology and its contribution to reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Furthermore, he announced a new milestone: a record-breaking silicon heterojunction back-contact solar cell efficiency of 27.30%, marking LONGi’s 17th world-record achievement in solar cell efficiency since April 2021, solidifying its leadership in the global solar energy industry. Besides, he shared that LONGi proudly developed the first Lighthouse Factory in the PV Industry in Jiaxing China, which significantly increased the manufacturing efficiency with more than 30 digital cases, while managing to produce 1 PV Module every 18 seconds. Closing out his speech, he mentioned “The discussions made at this forum will significantly contribute to advancing Pakistan’s clean energy transition. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Government of Sindh and other key stakeholders to drive sustainable energy solutions in the region.”
The event contained two keynote addresses, the first was delivered by Nasir Shah, Energy Minister Sindh. Speaking at the event, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah stated that the Sindh government is working on green energy and will provide full support to everyone in this sector. He emphasized the desire to set up plants for manufacturing solar panels and other equipment locally, with complete cooperation from the Sindh government. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah mentioned that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is working on promoting green energy and providing relief to the public, and in the near future, the government plans to start distributing solar panels for free to the public. Solar panels will be provided to consumers who use up to 300 units of electricity. He stressed the importance of manufacturing solar systems locally, as importing solar panels from other countries incurs taxes, which affect the price. Local production will reduce taxes and significantly lower prices.
The second keynote address was delivered by Kamran Tessori, Governor Sindh, who stated that the energy crisis in Pakistan is acute, and we warmly welcome companies in the renewable energy sector to address this pressing issue. Given the high cost of electricity, solar energy has become indispensable, and it is high time we embraced it on a larger scale. Promoting the renewable energy sector is a commendable and necessary step. Pakistan has vast opportunities in the energy sector, with coastal areas being particularly significant. The government has initiated large-scale wind power projects, which are already contributing to our energy needs. Additionally, the energy sector holds a prominent position in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, emphasizing its critical importance for the country’s future. The combined efforts in wind and solar energy signify a transformative shift towards sustainable power solutions, ensuring a more resilient and energy-secure Pakistan.
The agenda included a technical presentation on LONGi’s advanced products and solutions by Mr Zubair Anwer Khan, Production and Solutions Manager, LONGi MEA&CA. After briefing the audience about LONGi Solar Cell technology roadmap, he presented technical insights for LONGi’s cutting edge Hi-MO 7 Module. Moving on, he introduced and informed the audience about LONGi’s recently launched Hi-MO 9 Module which delivers efficiency of up to 24.43%.
The event also contained an insightful and engaging panel discussion on “How Green Power + Green Hydrogen can Shape Pakistan’s Energy Future”. Alongside industry leaders, Mr Charles Cheng, Head of Product and Solutions LONGi MEA&CA provided insightful perspectives on the potential and challenges of renewable energy in the region. He spoke about latest technologies in the Global Solar Industry and how Green Power + Green Hydrogen can help achieve Zero Carbon in Pakistan.
Sandy Jia, Head of LONGi Pakistan and Central Asia Branch, delivered the closing speech, expressing gratitude to all participants for their invaluable contributions to the forum. The evening concluded with a gala dinner, offering attendees an opportunity to network and discuss potential collaborations.
