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Arab News
4 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Lit by the sun: How solar power is transforming lives along Pakistan's southern coast
SUJAWAL, Sindh: Holding a battery in one hand and an LED light in the other, Abdul Ghani waded through the salty waters of the Arabian Sea to reach his small wooden boat. It was just past sunset, the sky dimming fast, but Ghani had no fear as he had light. Ghani is one of hundreds of Pakistani coastal residents who have benefited from a green energy initiative under the World Bank-backed Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), a multi-component program that aims to bring sustainable power to over 1.2 million of the southern province's poorest and most energy-deprived people. While torches don't offer adequate visibility in the vast seascape, and boat generators scare fish away when powered on, the battery-powered LED lights from the home energy system have proven to be an unexpected boon for nighttime fishing for residents like Ghani. 'Earlier, I couldn't catch any fish, but now when I go fishing using these lights, by the grace of God, I catch good fish,' the 45-year-old fisherman from Karo Chan, a coastal village in Sujawal district located in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, told Arab News. 'This helps me support my children and manage our livelihood.' The project targets people either without any electricity or facing power cuts, identified through Pakistan's national poverty scorecard, a data-driven assessment tool used to identify and prioritize assistance for low-income households. 'Each family has a solar system with fans, three LED light bulbs, mobile charging facility, along with a charge controller and a battery package,' Mehfooz Ahmed Qazi, the project director, told Arab News. 'All these cost Rs6,000 ($21), ten percent of the actual price, to instill a sense of ownership in the users.' Qazi said the project, launched in October 2019 and set to be completed in July 2025, had four components: a 400-megawatt solar power initiative for grid integration, rooftop solar systems for public sector buildings including 34 district headquarter hospitals, off-grid solar home systems for poor households and the establishment of solar equipment standardization laboratories at NED University in Karachi and Mehran University in Jamshoro. The key objective of the project is to promote the potential of green energy across the province. Out of the 400 megawatts planned for grid integration, 270 megawatts will be added to the system of K-Electric — serving over 3.4 million customers in Karachi and surrounding areas in Sindh and Balochistan — not only increasing the share of green power but also helping reduce electricity tariffs for residents of Karachi. By the end of the project, 34 megawatts of rooftop solar installations will be set up on buildings across the province, while 200,000 solar home systems will be distributed, benefiting 1.2 million families. Of these, 50,000 families in five coastal districts, including Sujawal, will receive solar home systems under the third component of the project that started in February this year. For families like Ghani's, the change has been immediate and life changing. 'I turn on three lights,' he explained. 'When we turn on the lights, small fish come. Seeing the small fish, the big ones also come. Where I place my net, both big and small fish come into it.' Ghani also uses the system at home once he returns from the sea. His wife, Kulsoom, said life, was once defined by heat, insects and fear of the dark, had now changed. 'Previously, there used to be complete darkness,' she said. 'The children would be distressed. We didn't even have a fan. It used to be extremely hot, and we would suffer.' Like many women in rural Sindh, Kulsoom's day revolves around managing the household and caring for her children. Now, her nights are more peaceful. 'Now that we have solar [system], we are very happy, and the children sleep peacefully,' she said. 'COMPLETE DARKNESS' In village Qaboolpur in the nearby Tando Muhammad Khan district, Naeema Gul, 47, had similar story. Her husband, Gul Bahar, is deaf and mute. They have six children, one of whom has polio. 'We didn't have electricity,' Gul said. 'We used hand fans. It would get extremely hot, and there were always mosquitoes … Now, thank God, we have received solar energy. Earlier, our home used to be in complete darkness. Now we have light.' Gul uses the fan provided with the solar system during peak summer heat, and the LED lights allow her to do embroidery on traditional ralli quilts, colorful patchwork textiles made by rural women in the province. She also uses the light to recite the Holy Qur'an at night. Her disabled son, Gulzar, a fifth grader, has also resumed his studies. 'After receiving the solar panel, I can study and write with ease,' he said. For women like Changi Rind, a widow with 10 children and dozens of grandchildren living in remote Jan Muhammad Jatt village of Sujawal, the biggest relief has been security. 'Previously, thieves used to come, but now, because of the light, they stay away,' she said. 'At night, one person had to stay awake. There was no light in the wilderness, only darkness.' Back in Karo Chan, as night fell, Ghani's returned on his boat with a modest catch, unpacked the system and handed it over to Kulsoom. With a fan whirring in the corner and her children sitting under LED lights, she reflected on how far the community had come: 'Where there was once darkness, solar [system] has brought light to our home and our lives as well.'
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Packed with tools, Pune's first tree ambulance is set to roll on June 5
A new ambulance is about to start moving in Pune–stocked with equipment such as hydraulic chain saw, electric chain saw, spray machine, battery bar cutter, bolt cutter, woodcutter apron and welding cable, among others. The beneficiaries of this ambulance service are just as unique and in danger–the trees of Pune. This is an idea that has been taking root across India for over half a dozen years–the tree ambulance, started by Chennai-based Dr Abdul Ghani, known as the Green Man of India. After being introduced in Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Rajasthan and Bengal (where it helped replant trees affected by super-cyclones in 2020 and 2021), among other states, a tree ambulance is being set up in Pune. The tree ambulance will start rolling on June 5, World Environment Day. In predominantly green, the ambulance is painted with a green cross and the slogan 'Save Trees, Save Earth'. The aim is not only to protect trees but also to have a wider vision to save the planet. 'The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is launching a Vriskha Rugnvahika, or tree ambulance, programme to address the health and maintenance needs of trees in the city. This initiative aims to help trees growing along roads by removing nails, providing first aid and ensuring overall tree health,' says Chief Garden Superintendent Ashok D Ghorpade, who is also a member secretary of the PMC's Tree Authority Department. The launch of the ambulance coincides with growing concerns among citizens about depleting green cover in the city. Pune has long been characterised by verdant surroundings and old trees. Significantly, the key aspects of tree ambulance services are tree health, under which it will help diagnose and treat issues affecting trees, such as diseases, injuries, or environmental damage, and first aid for trees so that trees in distress get immediate assistance. The ambulance will have experts, such as botanists, forestry professionals and tree surgeons. Another purpose of the tree ambulance is public outreach through initiatives, such as educational programmes to raise awareness about tree care and conservation. 'The tree ambulance is also tasked to provide services such as seed banking, seed ball distribution, uprooted tree planting, plant distribution, aiding tree plantation, shifting trees and surveying of trees and removal of dead trees,' says Ghorpade. The ambulance is now on a trial basis, beginning with trees in the PMC area. Dipanita Nath is interested in the climate crisis and sustainability. She has written extensively on social trends, heritage, theatre and startups. She has worked with major news organizations such as Hindustan Times, The Times of India and Mint. ... Read More
Broadcast Pro
02-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Ikegami UHL-X40 4K camera to debut at CABSAT 2025
Ikegami will also highlight the UHD-native UHK-X700 and HD-native HDK-X500 studio/portable cameras. Ikegami Electronics is set to unveil the latest advancements in its broadcast camera and picture monitor lineup at the upcoming CABSAT 2025 exhibition, taking place from May 13 to 15 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Visitors will be among the first in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region to see the debut of the UHL-X40, an ultra-compact 4K-UHD HDR camera built for scenarios where minimal size and weight are critical. Abdul Ghani, General Manager, Ikegami Middle East, said: 'Our new UHL-X40 elevates image capture to an enhanced level of versatility and efficiency while still maintaining the robustness and high signal quality which our customers naturally expect. Measuring only 89 mm front-to-back by 128 mm high and operating on just 23 watts at 12 volts DC, the UHL-X40 can be located up to 10 km from its CCU-X40 control unit via duplex single-mode fibre carrying uncompressed RGB raw pixel data. A 1G Ethernet trunk accommodates external data such as pan/tilt/zoom control. The UHL-X40 shares the same core technology and features as our latest-generation UHK-X700 series, including 3-CMOS UHD global-shutter sensors and advanced digital processing, so allows easy intercuts between the two models. Additional UHL-X40 capabilities are image inversion, allowing upside-down mounting from a ceiling, plus CCU-selectable HD image cutout selection from a UHD source. The UHL-X40 achieves F11 sensitivity at 2160p50 and has a signal-to-noise ratio of 62 dB. HDR and BT.2020 colour reproduction are available as standard.' Ikegami will also spotlight the UHK-X700 and HDK-X500 studio/portable cameras. Both are engineered for studio and outside broadcast use, whether mounted on pedestals, tripods, jibs or operated over-the-shoulder. The UHK-X700 and its UHK-X600 variant offer native 3840 x 2160 UHD resolution through three 2/3-inch CMOS global shutter sensors, while the HDK-X500 delivers native 1920 x 1080 HD. This global shutter design ensures distortion-free still frames and minimises issues with flashing lights and LED screens. The UHK-X700 supports high-frame-rate (HFR) recording at up to 2x in UHD and 8x in HD when paired with Ikegami's BSX-100 base station or CCU-X100. The HDK-X500 achieves a 1,000 TVL horizontal resolution, 62 dB SNR, and F12 sensitivity at 1080/50p. It also offers optional 2x high-speed capture or lower frame-rate formats such as 1080p/23.98. Both camera models are powered by Ikegami's AXII digital processor, which offers automatic optical vignetting correction and remote back focus adjustment, making them highly adaptable to various broadcast setups. Among the new picture monitors on display will be the 24-inch HLM-2460WA, an upgrade to the HLM-2460W. Designed for broadcast use in edit suites or monitor walls, the monitor delivers enhanced image dynamics using a 1920 x 1200 IPS LCD panel with a contrast ratio of 1,800:1 and a brightness of 400 nits. Also featured will be the HLM-1860WR and HLM-960WR multiformat monitors. The HLM-1860WR features a larger 18.5-inch IPS LCD panel within the same 19-inch rack size as its predecessor, offering full HD resolution, a 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 500 nits brightness for visibility even outdoors. The compact 9-inch HLM-960WR monitor offers full HD resolution, low power consumption, and a slim profile suitable for space-constrained environments. Stand AR-G10
Iraqi News
25-04-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq's Oil Minister participates in IEA Energy Security Summit in London
London ( – Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani participated in the International Energy Agency (IEA) Future of Energy Security Summit held in London, UK. The high-level event gathered global energy leaders to address the evolving challenges facing the global energy landscape. On the sidelines of the summit, Minister Abdul Ghani met with Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. The two discussed recent developments in global oil markets and explored ways to strengthen cooperation between Iraq and the IEA. Their talks focused on supporting Iraq's efforts to overcome domestic energy challenges and build a more resilient and secure energy infrastructure. As Iraq navigates a complex energy transition, the meeting underscored the country's commitment to improving energy security, modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing collaboration with international partners. Strengthening ties with the IEA is seen as a crucial step in helping Iraq overcome energy challenges and develop a more sustainable and resilient energy system. The summit marked a key opportunity for Iraq to reaffirm its role in global energy discussions and to engage with partners on collaborative solutions for long-term energy security.
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq amends Budget Law to pay oil firms operating in Kurdistan, says official
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi government has revised the national budget law to guarantee payments to international oil companies working in the Kurdistan Region, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani announced on Wednesday. Speaking at the 9th Sulaimani Forum, Abdul Ghani revealed that negotiations between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) led to the amendment, designed to cover operational costs for energy companies in the semi-autonomous region. 'The budget law has been updated specifically to facilitate payments to companies operating in the Kurdistan Region,' Abdul Ghani explained, adding that a formal letter, signed by the Iraqi finance minister, has been issued to ensure these payments. 'This move has reassured producers and alleviated their concerns.' Abdul Ghani also pointed out that oil produced in the Kurdistan Region is counted as part of Iraq's national quota under the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). To comply with OPEC limits, the federal government had to reduce its own production, which has negatively affected Iraq's overall export capacity. His comments come ahead of a high-level meeting scheduled between Baghdad and Erbil on Saturday to discuss the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan Region. Exports through the Iraq-Turkiye pipeline were halted in March 2023 following an international arbitration ruling in Paris, which determined that Turkiye violated a 1973 agreement by allowing the KRG to independently export oil without Baghdad's approval. The stoppage blocked approximately 450,000 barrels per day of crude, cutting off the KRG's primary revenue stream. This disruption has strained the Kurdistan Region's finances, triggered production cuts, and increased reliance on budget transfers from the federal government. Abdul Ghani noted that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's recent visit to the Kurdistan Region and his discussions with local officials were instrumental in accelerating the negotiations and facilitating recent agreements.
