UNDP, Sinh-Government launch country’s first Biomass-Based-Energy-Plant in Sujawal
Sujawal – 31 October 2026 (MT Team) :The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), is implementing the Global Environment Facility-funded Promotion and Application of Sustainable Biomass Energy Technologies in Pakistan (PASBET) project.
Under this project, UNDP and the Government of Sindh jointly inaugurated Pakistan’s first biomass energy demonstration plant in Sujawal district, Sindh.
PASBET is a five-year, US$3.5 million project that will promote sustainable biomass energy technologies to support rural livelihoods, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ease pressure on forest resources across Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Sujawal plant is the first of four demonstration sites planned under the initiative to showcase scalable woody biomass-based energy technologies.
Located in Pinnah Reserved Forest, the plant will convert forested, non-forested and crops residues, such as pruned branches, rice straw and cotton sticks, into fuel pellets for use in cookstoves, meeting other rural energy needs, and promoting sustainable forest management.
“Pakistan does not have to choose between meeting rural energy needs and protecting its forests. This plant shows how locally available residues can be turned into cleaner fuel, local opportunity and a more sustainable energy model. The task now is to make that model work at scale, with communities, government and markets moving together,” said Dr. Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative, UNDP Pakistan.
At the inauguration, 130 fuel-efficient cookstoves designed to run on biomass pellets were distributed to local households, alongside 20 nursery toolkits for community groups. The cookstoves offer an alternative to conventional fuelwood-based cooking, while the toolkits will support community efforts to develop sustainable biomass resources over time.
Community participation and women’s engagement are integral to the project. Roshni Tanzeem, a community organization from Muhammad Hassan Jakhro village, supported community engagement, the selection of stove recipients and nursery development.
PASBET will also strengthen local skills and explore livelihood opportunities across the biomass value chain, including biomass preparation, pellet handling, transportation, sales and plant operations.
“Pinnah Reserved Forest demonstrates how forest and agricultural residues can create livelihoods through pellet production, community nurseries and efficient cookstoves, supporting sustainable forest management and enhancing the indigenous plantations.
The Government of Sindh welcomes this first UNDP-PASBET demonstration plant and will build on Sujawal’s lessons in community involvement and residue management to scale up cleaner rural energy and healthier forests across the province,” said Muhammad Riaz Wagon, Chief Conservator, Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh.
