KOICA Initiates Establishment of Certification Testing Laboratory to Promote Solar Power Industry Development in Pakistan... $9.5 Million Invested by 2023

Goal to Secure International-Level Certification Capability through Introduction of National Type Test Certification System
Expected Contribution to Renewable Energy Technology Dissemination and SDG7 Achievement in Pakistan

On the 6th, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pakistan "Solar Cell Module Certification Testing Laboratory Establishment Project" promoted by KOICA, Barker Raja, Chairman of the New and Renewable Energy Committee (third from the left), Chaudhry Pervaiz Hussain, Minister of Science and Technology (fourth from the left), Kwak Sung-kyu, Ambassador to Pakistan (fifth from the left), Dr. Park Jae-sung of the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL) (sixth from the left), and Yang Seok-woong, Head of KOICA Pakistan Office (seventh from the left), posed for a commemorative photo.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) announced on the 7th that it held a groundbreaking ceremony for the "Solar Cell Module Certification Testing Laboratory Establishment Project" at the Ministry of Science and Technology of Pakistan on the 6th.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by 50 officials from related organizations, including Ambassador Kwak Sung-kyu to Pakistan, Yang Seok-woong, head of KOICA Pakistan Office, Choudhary Pervaiz Hussain, Minister of Science and Technology of Pakistan, and Baka Raja, Chairman of the Pakistan Renewable Energy Technology Committee.

According to a guide for solar power generation in Pakistan published by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2016, the annual average solar irradiance (global horizontal irradiance) exceeds 1500 kWh/㎡ in more than 90% of Pakistan's territory. In particular, the southwestern region of Pakistan boasts one of the highest levels of solar irradiance in the world. Additionally, due to its topography and climate conditions, Pakistan has long sunshine hours and abundant solar radiation, indicating very high potential for solar power generation in the future.

However, Pakistan lacks a domestic certification system for solar cell modules, resulting in frequent consumer damages caused by the use of poor-quality products. To address this issue, the Pakistani government requested support from Korea, and KOICA plans to invest a total of 9.5 million USD by 2023.

First, KOICA will establish a solar cell module certification testing laboratory in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, that meets international quality standards. The certification testing laboratory will consist of a two-story building with a total floor area of 2,000㎡ and an outdoor testing site of 500㎡. It will be equipped with about 30 types of testing equipment, including simulators and environmental chambers. KOICA will also provide various consulting services to enable the Pakistan solar cell module certification testing laboratory to adopt international quality certification standards and support the Pakistan Renewable Energy Committee and the Pakistan National Standards and Quality Control Authority to register respectively as an IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) accredited testing laboratory and a national certification body. Furthermore, KOICA is considering inviting personnel involved in the certification testing laboratory for training to ensure stable operation.

KOICA expects this project to contribute to establishing a solar cell module certification system in Pakistan, securing international-level certification capabilities, and laying the foundation for a certification system that meets international standards locally. Moreover, it is anticipated to support the Pakistani government's policy to supply at least 30% of total energy from renewable sources by 2030 and contribute to achieving SDG7, one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the spread of renewable energy.

Ambassador Kwak Sung-kyu to Pakistan said, "This project is meaningful as it can achieve social values such as training experts to lead Pakistan's solar industry and creating new jobs," adding, "We will continue to cooperate with the Pakistani government for stable energy supply in Pakistan." Yang Seok-woong, head of KOICA Pakistan Office, said, "If renewable energy is widely supplied through the solar cell module certification testing laboratory, it will help revitalize local communities and the economy in Pakistan," and added, "We will continue to cooperate with the Pakistani government to supply clean energy in Pakistan."

Additionally, Choudhary Pervaiz Hussain, Minister of Science and Technology of Pakistan, said, "Establishing a solar cell module certification testing laboratory is essential to enhance national competitiveness," and added, "By introducing the Korean-style certification system, we will achieve internationally competitive solar cell module certification technology in Pakistan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.