A Landmark Achievement in Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Pakistan

The 2023 AEE International Project of the Year was awarded to the Green Presidency of Pakistan. This project, approved by Pakistan’s President, Dr. Arif Alvi, aimed to reduce the carbon footprint of the Presidential Palace, also known as Aiwan-e-Sadr. The energy team, led by the Director of Projects and AEE member Shahid Shoukat, initiated the project in 2019 with a comprehensive energy audit. Once completed, Shahid and his team identified key areas to improve overall energy efficiency. In 2020, the team began executing these targets by revamping the HVAC system, retrofitting energy efficient lights, placing VVFD devices, utilizing heat resistant paint, revamping lifts, installing efficient water pumps, and monitoring internal energy systems.

Through a successful campaign, the energy team managed to reduce overall energy consumption at Aiwan-e-Sadr by 42.5%, or the equivalent of 3,144 tons of greenhouse gases. For the remaining energy load, the team installed an in-house 1-MW solar plant, making Aiwan-e-Sadr a net zero building and awarding GBC SEED Platinum Certification. Additionally, in 2022, Aiwan-e-Sadr received the ISO 50001 EnMS Certification, making it the world’s first green presidency.

President Alvi celebrated this outstanding achievement during a formal event at the presidential palace on December 18th, 2023. The event featured a virtual address from AEE’s Executive Director, Bill Kent, congratulating the President, Mr. Shoukat, and the rest of the energy team for their successful project. Additionally, President Alvi spoke on the project’s importance for Pakistan’s national energy goals and expressed his gratitude to AEE for recognizing Pakistan’s accomplishment.

The momentum created by the Green Presidency Project inspired Pakistan’s government to implement new energy efficient building codes for all federal and provincial buildings across the country. Globally, the energy efficiency movement is growing, and projects like the Green Presidency set the tone for both the public and private sector. AEE and our members are proud to be leading this movement, creating a greener, more efficient planet.