{
  "id": 17908127,
  "title": "Pakistan’s first biomass plant operational",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/pakistans-first-biomass-plant-operational",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-03T02:08:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn Business",
    "slug": "dawn-business",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2041699/pakistans-first-biomass-plant-operational"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan inaugurated its first biomass energy demonstration plant in Sajawal, Sindh, on November 3rd, 2026. Located within Pinnah Reserved Forest, the plant aims to bolster rural livelihoods, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and alleviate strain on forest resources. Funded by the Global Environment Facility and executed by the UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, this initiative is part of a broader five-year, $3.5 million project, PASBET. The plant marks the first of four demonstration sites planned to exhibit scalable woody biomass-based energy technologies across Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and KP. PASBET seeks to reconcile rural energy requirements with forest conservation by transforming locally available residues into cleaner fuel, fostering local opportunities, and promoting a more sustainable energy model. UNDP Resident Representative, Dr Samuel Rizk, highlighted that Pakistan need not compromise between meeting rural energy demands and safeguarding its forests. The Pinnah Reserved Forest exemplifies how forest and agricultural residues can generate livelihoods via pellet production, community nurseries, and efficient cook-stoves, thereby supporting sustainable forest management and bolstering indigenous plantations.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first biomass energy demonstration plant has become operational in Sajawal, Sindh, to support rural livelihoods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ease pressure on forest resources. Located in Pinnah Reserved Forest, the plant was set up under the Global Environment Facility-funded Promotion and Application of Sustainable Biomass Energy Technologies in Pakistan (PASBET)…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}