.
Lithium-ion batteries are pictured at the production site of battery specialist Saft Groupe in Poitiers, France, October 5, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
The government plans to launch a policy of local manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for industrial use with the aim of shifting the load from the national electricity grid to solar energy.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif had ordered to introduce a policy of using lithium-ion batteries in solar power to reduce the load on the national power grid.
A high-level meeting on formulation of lithium-ion battery policy was held under the chairmanship of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Industries and Production, Mr. Haroon Akhtar Khan.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of State for Finance and Railways, Mr. Bilal Azhar Kiyani. Secretary Industries Mr. Saif Anjum, Director General of Engineering Development Board (EDB) Mr. Hamad Mansoor, representatives of public and private sectors were also present.
The participants held in-depth discussions on promoting local production and manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries in Pakistan. SAPM Haroon Akhtar Khan said that as per the directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government is developing a comprehensive policy to encourage domestic manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries. He pointed out that currently lithium-ion cells and components are imported and assembled only locally.
