SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Introduction
Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) is one of the 17 Sustainable Development
Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. Its primary aim is to "ensure access
to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all." This goal recognizes
the critical role that energy plays in nearly every aspect of human life and
development, from powering homes, schools, and hospitals to enabling businesses,
industries, and transportation.

Importance and Relevance:

● Global Development: Access to clean and affordable energy is a cornerstone of
sustainable development. It is intrinsically linked to poverty eradication (SDG 1),
quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5) through reduced time spent
on fuel collection (often by women and girls), economic growth (SDG 8),
sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and climate action (SDG 13).
Without reliable energy, communities remain trapped in cycles of poverty, unable
to access modern healthcare, education, or economic opportunities.
Furthermore, traditional energy sources like firewood and fossil fuels contribute
significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate
change and health problems.
● National Development (Pakistan): For a developing nation like Pakistan, SDG 7
is of paramount importance. The country has historically faced significant energy
challenges, including energy shortages (loadshedding), reliance on expensive
imported fossil fuels, and limited energy access in rural areas. Transitioning to
affordable and clean energy can enhance energy security, reduce the import bill,
create new green jobs, improve public health by reducing air pollution, and help
Pakistan meet its international climate commitments. Reliable energy is crucial for
industrial growth, agricultural productivity, and improving the overall quality of
life for its citizens.
2. International Case Study: Germany's Energiewende (Energy Transition)
Germany's "Energiewende" is a prominent global example of a comprehensive
national strategy to transition towards a low-carbon, environmentally sound, reliable,
and affordable energy supply. It is one of the most ambitious energy transition
projects undertaken by an industrialized nation.

Efforts Made and Strategies Implemented:

● Renewable Energy Expansion: The cornerstone of Energiewende is the massive
expansion of renewable energy sources, particularly wind (onshore and offshore)
and solar photovoltaics (PV). This was driven by policies like the Renewable
Energy Sources Act (EEG), which guaranteed feed-in tariffs for renewable energy
producers, providing long-term investment security.
● Nuclear Phase-Out: A key political decision within Energiewende was the
commitment to phase out nuclear power, with the last plants scheduled to close
by the end of 2022 (though this was slightly extended due to the energy crisis).
● Energy Efficiency: Significant emphasis has been placed on improving energy
efficiency across all sectors – buildings, industry, and transport – through
regulations, incentives, and public awareness campaigns.
● Grid Modernization: To accommodate the fluctuating nature of renewable
energy sources, Germany has been investing in modernizing its electricity grid,
including smart grid technologies and expanding transmission networks.
● Research and Development: Continuous investment in research and
development of new energy technologies has been a part of the strategy.
● Public Participation and Decentralization: The Energiewende has seen a high
degree of public participation, with many citizens, communities, and cooperatives
investing in renewable energy projects, leading to a more decentralized energy
system.
Outcomes:
● Significant Increase in Renewables: The share of renewable energy in
Germany's gross electricity consumption rose dramatically, from around 6% in
2000 to over 46% by early 2023.
● Job Creation: The renewable energy sector has become a significant source of
employment.
● CO2 Reduction: Germany has achieved reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,
although meeting its ambitious targets has proven challenging.
● Technological Leadership: Germany became a leader in certain renewable
energy technologies, particularly solar PV manufacturing in the early stages,
though it has faced international competition.
Challenges Faced:
● High Costs: The Energiewende has been associated with high costs, partly due
to the feed-in tariffs, which are passed on to consumers through electricity bills
(the EEG-surcharge, though it was abolished in mid-2022 to relieve consumers).
● Grid Stability and Expansion: Integrating large amounts of variable renewable
 energy has posed challenges for grid stability and necessitated costly grid
expansion, which has faced public opposition in some areas.
● Slower Progress in Transport and Heating: While electricity generation has
seen significant renewable integration, progress in decarbonizing the transport
and heating sectors has been slower.
● Intermittency of Renewables: Ensuring a consistent power supply with a high
share of intermittent renewables (solar and wind) requires solutions like energy
storage, demand-side management, and backup capacity (initially relying on
fossil fuels, including coal).
● Energy Security Concerns: The phase-out of nuclear power and reliance on
imported gas (especially before the recent geopolitical shifts) raised concerns
about energy security, particularly during the transition.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices:
● Long-term Policy Commitment: Consistent and long-term policy signals are
crucial for attracting investment in renewable energy.
● Integrated Approach: A holistic approach that addresses energy generation,
transmission, distribution, efficiency, and sector coupling (linking electricity with
transport and heating) is necessary.
● Social Acceptance and Participation: Involving citizens and communities can
foster support and drive a decentralized energy transition.
● Adaptive Management: The policy framework needs to be flexible and
adaptable to technological advancements and changing economic conditions
(e.g., reforming feed-in tariffs as technologies matured).
● Addressing Social Equity: Ensuring that the costs and benefits of the energy
transition are distributed fairly is critical for maintaining public support.
● Importance of Grid Infrastructure: Early and proactive investment in grid
infrastructure is vital for integrating high shares of renewables.
3. National Case Study: Pakistan's Journey Towards SDG 7
Pakistan has been actively working towards achieving SDG 7, recognizing its
importance for economic development, energy security, and environmental
sustainability. However, the journey is fraught with challenges.

Policies, Initiatives, or Programs Implemented:

● Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB): Established in 2003, the
AEDB is the primary agency responsible for promoting and facilitating the
development of renewable energy resources in Pakistan.
● National Power Policy (e.g., 2013, 2015) and Renewable Energy Policies
(e.g., ARE Policy 2006, Policy for Development of Renewable Energy for
Power Generation 2019 - ARE Policy 2019): These policies have aimed to
diversify the energy mix, attract private investment in power generation
(including renewables), and address issues like circular debt. The ARE Policy
2019, for instance, set ambitious targets for increasing the share of renewables in
the energy mix (20% by 2025 and 30% by 2030, excluding hydropower).
● Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) and Competitive Bidding: Initially, FITs were offered to
attract investment in wind and solar projects. More recently, there has been a
shift towards competitive bidding/auctions to drive down costs.
● Net Metering Policies: Policies allowing consumers to generate their own
electricity (primarily solar PV) and sell surplus back to the grid have been
introduced and have gained popularity, especially in urban areas.
● Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects: Several large-scale wind and solar
power projects have been commissioned, such as the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park.
Hydropower, a traditional strength, also continues to be a focus for expansion.
● Rural Electrification Programs: Efforts have been made to extend the national
grid to unserved areas and promote off-grid solutions (like solar home systems)
in remote regions.
● Energy Efficiency and Conservation Initiatives: Various programs and
awareness campaigns have been launched by bodies like the National Energy
Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) to promote energy saving in
industries, buildings, and households.
● Focus on Indigenous Resources: There's an increasing emphasis on utilizing
indigenous resources like Thar coal (though this has environmental implications)
and local renewable potential to reduce reliance on imported fuels.
Successes:
● Increased Renewable Energy Capacity: Pakistan has seen a notable increase
in its installed capacity of wind and solar power over the past decade.
● Growth in Net Metering: The uptake of rooftop solar through net metering has
been a significant success, empowering consumers and adding distributed
generation capacity.
● Private Sector Participation: Policies have successfully attracted private
investment into the power sector, particularly in renewable energy generation.
● Improved Energy Access: Grid extension and off-grid solutions have improved
electricity access in many parts of the country, though gaps remain.
● Diversification of Energy Mix: While still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, there is a
 gradual shift towards a more diversified energy portfolio.
Challenges:
● Circular Debt: This is a massive and persistent issue in Pakistan's power sector,
where unpaid bills and subsidies create a cascade of debt throughout the energy
chain, hampering investment and operational efficiency.
● Grid Infrastructure Limitations: The existing transmission and distribution
network is often outdated, inefficient, and unable to handle the intermittent
nature of large-scale renewables or evacuate power from remote renewable-rich
areas. This leads to curtailment of renewable power at times.
● Financial Constraints and Investment Climate: Attracting sufficient long-term
investment remains a challenge due to economic instability, currency
fluctuations, and perceived policy risks.
● Policy Implementation and Consistency: While policies are often well-
intentioned, their effective and consistent implementation can be a hurdle.
Frequent changes in policy can deter investors.
● Affordability: Despite efforts, electricity tariffs remain relatively high for many
consumers, and the cost of transitioning to cleaner energy sources can be a
burden.
● Technical Capacity and Skilled Workforce: There is a need for a larger pool of
skilled professionals and technicians to design, install, operate, and maintain
renewable energy systems.
● Governance and Regulatory Issues: Complex regulatory processes,
institutional overlaps, and governance challenges can slow down project
development and implementation.
● Slow Progress in Off-Grid Solutions for Remote Areas: Reaching the most
remote and underserved populations with sustainable energy solutions remains a
significant challenge.
Areas for Improvement:
● Aggressively Tackle Circular Debt: Comprehensive and sustainable solutions
are needed to resolve this critical issue.
● Invest in Grid Modernization and Expansion: Upgrading the grid to
accommodate more renewables and reduce losses is essential.
● Ensure Policy Stability and Transparency: A stable, predictable, and
transparent policy environment is crucial for attracting investment.
● Strengthen Regulatory Frameworks: Streamline regulatory processes and
enhance the capacity of regulatory bodies.
● Promote Decentralized Energy Solutions: Greater focus on off-grid and mini-
grid solutions for rural and remote areas.
● Enhance Energy Efficiency Measures: Implement and enforce stricter energy
efficiency standards across all sectors.
● Invest in Human Capital: Develop a skilled workforce for the renewable energy
sector.
● Improve Inter-Agency Coordination: Better coordination between federal and
provincial bodies involved in the energy sector.
4. Conclusion
Key Takeaways:
● Global Commitment, Varied Paths: Both Germany's Energiewende and
Pakistan's efforts underscore the global commitment to SDG 7. However, the
approaches, scale, and challenges differ significantly based on economic
development, resource availability, and political contexts. Germany, an
industrialized nation, has focused on a rapid technological shift away from
nuclear and fossil fuels, facing challenges of cost and grid integration. Pakistan, a
developing nation, grapples with fundamental issues of energy access,
affordability, and the financial health of its energy sector, while simultaneously
trying to increase its renewable footprint.
● Policy is Paramount: In both cases, government policy, regulatory frameworks,
and long-term strategic vision are critical drivers of change. Germany's early and
consistent support for renewables through feed-in tariffs was instrumental, while
Pakistan's renewable energy policies have laid the groundwork for growth,
though implementation and consistency remain key.
● Infrastructure is Key: The importance of robust and modern energy
infrastructure (especially electricity grids) cannot be overstated. Integrating
variable renewable energy sources requires significant investment in grid
modernization and expansion, a challenge evident in both Germany and Pakistan.
● No Single Solution: Achieving SDG 7 requires a multi-faceted approach,
encompassing not just the promotion of renewable energy but also significant
improvements in energy efficiency, addressing systemic issues like circular debt
(in Pakistan's case), and ensuring social equity and public participation.
Potential Solutions or Areas for Improvement in Achieving SDG 7:
● Enhanced International Cooperation and Finance: Developed countries need
to fulfill their commitments to provide financial and technological support to
developing nations to facilitate their clean energy transitions. Carbon markets
 and green financing mechanisms can play a larger role.
● Investment in Innovation: Continuous research and development are needed to
bring down the costs of clean energy technologies (including storage solutions
like batteries and green hydrogen) and improve their efficiency and reliability.
● Strengthening Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Governments need to
create stable, transparent, and attractive policy environments that de-risk
investments in clean energy and energy efficiency. This includes streamlining
permitting processes and ensuring policy continuity.
● Focus on Energy Efficiency: The "first fuel" – energy efficiency – often offers
the most cost-effective way to reduce energy demand and emissions. Stronger
efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and vehicles are crucial.
● Decentralized Energy Systems: Promoting decentralized renewable energy
solutions (like rooftop solar, mini-grids, and off-grid systems) can improve energy
access, enhance resilience, and empower communities, particularly in developing
countries and remote areas.
● Capacity Building and Skill Development: Investing in training and education
to create a skilled workforce for the clean energy sector is essential for a
sustainable transition.
● Addressing Social Impacts: Ensuring a "just transition" is vital, meaning that the
shift to clean energy does not disproportionately harm workers and communities
reliant on fossil fuel industries. This requires social safety nets, retraining
programs, and targeted regional development.
Suggested Actions:
● International Level:
○ Increase climate finance flows from developed to developing countries,
specifically targeting SDG 7 initiatives.
○ Facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing on clean energy
technologies and best practices.
○ Strengthen international partnerships and platforms for collaboration on
energy transition strategies.
○ Develop and promote international standards for clean energy technologies
and energy efficiency.
● National Level (General, applicable to many countries including Pakistan):
○ Develop and implement clear, long-term national energy transition roadmaps
with ambitious and measurable targets for renewable energy and energy
efficiency.
○ Reform energy subsidies to phase out support for fossil fuels and redirect
 resources towards clean energy and energy access for the poor.
○ Invest heavily in modernizing electricity grids to make them "smarter," more
flexible, and capable of integrating high shares of variable renewables.
○ Implement comprehensive energy efficiency programs across all sectors
(residential, commercial, industrial, transport).
○ Streamline permitting and regulatory processes for clean energy projects.
○ Foster public-private partnerships to mobilize investment in the energy
sector.
○ For countries like Pakistan, urgently address systemic issues like circular debt
through comprehensive reforms to ensure the financial viability of the energy
sector.
○ Promote community-based energy projects and ensure that the benefits of
the energy transition are shared equitably.
5. References
(This section would be populated with specific sources used during the research. As I
have synthesized information, actual URLs from a live search would be listed here.
For this exercise, I will list the types of sources that would be appropriate.)
● United Nations Documents:
○ UN Sustainable Development Goals official website (sdgs.un.org)
○ Reports from UN agencies like UNDP, UNIDO, IRENA (International Renewable
Energy Agency) on SDG 7 progress.
● Government Publications and Websites:
○ Germany: Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK),
German Environment Agency (UBA).
○ Pakistan: Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Alternative Energy Development
Board (AEDB), National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), National
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA).
● International Energy Agency (IEA) Reports:
○ World Energy Outlook, country-specific energy policy reviews.
● Academic Journals and Research Papers:
○ Articles on energy policy, renewable energy transition, energy economics,
and sustainable development from journals like Energy Policy, Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, Nature Energy, etc.
● Reputable News Outlets and Energy Sector Publications:
○ Reports and analyses from sources like Reuters, Bloomberg Green, The
Economist, Power Technology, PV Magazine, etc.
● World Bank and Asian Development Bank Reports:
○ Publications on energy sector development, financing, and challenges in
developing countries, including Pakistan.
(Example of how a specific reference might look):
● International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2023). Renewable Energy
Outlook: Global Energy Transformation. Abu Dhabi: IRENA.
● Ministry of Energy (Power Division), Government of Pakistan. (2019). Alternative
and Renewable Energy Policy 2019. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan.