Pakistan is preparing to take a new step toward cleaner and more affordable energy with plans for its first full-scale agricultural waste-to-energy plant.
The project is being led by Northumbria University with £1.25 million in funding from the UK government. It will focus on turning agricultural waste, including cotton stalks and sugarcane residue, into bio-coal pellets.
These pellets could provide an alternative to imported coal for industries such as brick kilns and textile mills. The locally produced fuel is expected to cost around 40 to 50 percent less than imported coal, potentially helping businesses reduce their energy expenses.
The project could also provide benefits for rural communities. A women-led biomass cooperative is expected to involve more than 120 households, creating new opportunities for rural women to earn income through the collection and supply of agricultural waste.
By converting farm waste into usable energy, the initiative could also help reduce waste and support more sustainable industrial practices.
The project brings together energy, agriculture and community development, offering Pakistan an opportunity to make better use of resources that are often treated as waste.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could provide a model for producing affordable local fuel while supporting rural incomes and reducing dependence on imported energy sources.
