Tag: clean energy

  • 10th Shell Tameer Awards – The Brilliance of Future Innovators

    10th Shell Tameer Awards – The Brilliance of Future Innovators

    A visionary concept like that of the likes of Shell’s flagship programme, the Shell Tameer, is one that gives youth a dynamic platform where sustainable, revolutionary, and scaleble ideas can prosper. Shell Tameer Awards is a beacon of hope for innovators and their developmental portfolios designed to fortify economies. Shell Tameer lays the foundation of entrepreneurship, and innovation to create meaningful changes in the country. A nationwide spectacle became the nexus where innovative ideas and creative minds across Pakistan came together to share a platform for the benefit of the country.

    Shell Tameer Awards 2023 saw a plethora of impeccable ideas poised to redefine Pakistan’s trajectory of progress. These ideas promise to bring transformative solutions to the challenges faced by the nation and its people, acting as a catalyst for economic growth.

    Diverse in scope and impact, the Shell Tameer Awards boast a spectrum of categories that mirror the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of our time, let’s shed some light on a few of many extraordinary visions that we encountered on the 10th Shell Tameer Awards.

    Clean Energy Solutions

    Clean Energy Jamal Ahmed – Solar Safe – A pioneering startup from Peshawar, specialising in solar panel cleaning, maintenance, and repair services for solar PV systems. It aligns with the principles of sustainability and circular economy by extending up to 10 years the lifespan of solar panels and maximising the energy of energy production.

    Sheraz Khalid – ECO CHAR – An environmentally friendly clean-tech based charcoal manufacturer that addresses the issue of sub-standard fuel in domestic, industrial, and commercial sectors.

    Empowering Women

    Shehnaz Akhtar – HALANCE NATURALS PVT LTD – A company that works towards creating natural and clean skincare, hair oils and essential soaps, scrubs, and shampoos nurtured through organically grown fruit goodness that grows from pesticide-free farming.

    Technology Innovation

    Farha Masood – BIO-NANO INNOVATIONS – A young startup developing specialised wound dressing for diabetic patients who consistently face issues of foot ulcers, bacterial invasion, and infections. The business aims to commercialize affordable adhesive dressings to provide aseptic conditions and promote wound healing for diabetic patients.

    Abdul Hanan – Softwares Solution – A smart system designed to serve over 70 million people suffering from stammer/stutter by taking voice input and predicting the next word/sentence as transcribed output.

    Anjum Javed – AGRIBOTX – Forefront runner of a transformative solution – Precision Robotics for future farming harnessed with cutting-edge technology, AI, and data-driven insights to develop a comprehensive suite of robotic solutions.

    Circular Economy

    Humza Rehman – RDUINOTRONICS – A high-quality filaments producer that uses discarded plastic bottles to manufacture filaments suitable for 3D printers, hence addressing the issue of plastic waste and fulfilling the need for more accessible and cost-effective filaments.

    Bushra Ali Khan – BAAZYAFT – An eco-friendly initiative where underprivileged communities, including transgenders and deserving females, produce home accessories, stationery items, and fashion accessories from textile waste.

    The Shell Tameer Awards extend beyond the winner’s podium, all 30 finalists benefit from global consultancy, exposure, and constructive feedback from industry leaders, helping them progress their business and further their ideas from concept to reality.

    Shell Tameer emerges as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and a flag-bearer of creative potential across Pakistan. It empowers leaders, game-changers, and trailblazers to shape national economic growth. Two decades on, the program continues to foster innovative solutions, building a modern, convenient, and vibrant ecosystem that propels the future of the nation. As we celebrate another successful year of the 10th Shell Tameer Awards, we eagerly anticipate the untold stories and hidden brilliance that will shape the next chapter of Pakistan’s journey towards progress and innovation.

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  • ADB approves $250 million loan to upgrade Pakistan’s power transmission system 

    ADB approves $250 million loan to upgrade Pakistan’s power transmission system 

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted a $250 million loan to Pakistan to enhance the country’s power transmission system, addressing persistent electricity shortages. 

    The approved aid aims to ensure a reliable electricity supply by expanding and enhancing the power transmission network in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, as outlined in an official ADB statement. 

    The initiative, known as the Power Transmission Strengthening Project, focuses on fortifying the national grid’s stability by increasing transmission capacity. 

    The project includes the expansion of high-voltage transmission networks, specifically 500 kilovolt (kV) and 220 kV transmission line loops, with the goal of reducing transmission losses in Lahore, Punjab, through the replacement of outdated transmission lines. 

    ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, emphasised the significance of a reliable power supply for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. 

    He expressed satisfaction in continuing ADB’s support for Pakistan’s pursuit of energy security and improved energy efficiency. 

    In addition to reinforcing power transmission, the project aims to complement ADB’s existing assistance to the National Transmission & Despatch Company Limited (NTDC). 

    This support targets energy security, climate resilience, and increased transmission capacity for the deployment of sufficient, reliable, clean, and cost-effective energy. 

    The project’s key objectives extend to enhancing the management of the national transmission system. 

    Beyond strengthening power transmission, ADB’s initiative will improve the project and financial management of NTDC, incorporating climate resilience in planning and operations. 

    To promote gender equality and women’s involvement in the energy sector, ADB plans to develop mentorship guidelines, conduct awareness campaigns, establish childcare centres, and provide technical training for female staff within NTDC. 

    The project also includes livelihood skills development for women in the designated areas, aiming to enhance their economic opportunities. 

    Additionally, local communities will receive training to enable them to respond effectively to climate-induced natural hazards. 

  • Pakistani e-motorbike startup raises $1.2 million to manufacture budget-friendly e-bikes

    Pakistani e-motorbike startup raises $1.2 million to manufacture budget-friendly e-bikes

    Pakistani e-motorbike startup Zyp Technologies has raised $1.2 million in seed funding led by venture capital fund Indus Valley Capital.

    With this key investment, Zyp is driving mass-market adoption of electric mobility in Pakistan by addressing key hurdles to adoption including High upfront cost, Range anxiety, Long charging times.

    According to the official statement, the company aims to use this investment at its assembly line which is capable of manufacturing up to 8,000 e-motorbikes per year to meet demand. Depending on each variant in production, these bikes may cost in the region of Rs150,000-450,000.

    The startup also intends to build 4,000 charging stations across the country.

    Aatif Awan, founding partner at Indus Valley Capital, said, with its vision to electrify the 25 million motorbikes in Pakistan, Zyp is building one of the most important products Pakistan needs to help solve the trade imbalance and high inflation. 

    Zyp team has meticulously designed their electric motorbikes and battery swapping to perform well in the local environment, creating a remarkable indigenous solution we’re proud to back.

    Zyp founders joined forces with a mission to create Pakistan’s own homegrown automotive brand in the clean energy sector. 

    This dream team brings experience from Silicon Valley tech companies like Microsoft and Intel, as well as auto companies like Volvo and Land Rover, and startups like Retailo.