Pakistan, Denmark sign MoU to launch strategic sector cooperation

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan and Denmark have entered into a new strategic partnership in the energy sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) Programme, a joint initiative designed to support Pakistan’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

The agreement was signed by Power Division Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam Irfan on behalf of Pakistan, while Denmark’s Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Maja Derrous Mortensen, signed on behalf of the Danish government.

Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari attended the ceremony, officially marking the beginning of the bilateral programme.

According to an official statement, the government-to-government collaboration represents an important advancement in Pakistan-Denmark relations.

The initiative will enable Danish specialists to work closely with Pakistan’s federal energy institutions by offering technical expertise aimed at accelerating the country’s green energy transformation and strengthening climate action efforts.

The SSC Programme will be jointly executed by the Danish Energy Agency, operating under Denmark’s Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities, in partnership with the Embassy of Denmark in Islamabad and Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy (Power Division).

Through technical cooperation, institutional capacity building, exchange of knowledge and awareness initiatives, the programme seeks to support Pakistan in adopting low-carbon energy solutions while ensuring the efficient implementation and expansion of its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments.

As part of the agreement, Danish experts will provide specialised support in three major areas: long-term energy planning, integration of renewable energy into the national power system, and enhancing energy efficiency within Pakistan’s industrial sector.

The programme also aims to strengthen the expertise and operational capabilities of several key energy organisations, including the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), National Grid Company (NGC), National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC), and the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB).

The new partnership builds on the achievements of the Danish Energy Transition Initiative (DETI), which delivered technical support and institutional development to Pakistan’s energy sector from 2021 to 2025.

During the DETI initiative, Pakistani energy professionals took part in two specialised study visits to Denmark, while annual GreenTech conferences held in Karachi and Lahore promoted the exchange of expertise, highlighted long-term energy planning strategies, and encouraged the nationwide adoption of sustainable energy technologies.