‘Jubilee Corporation is a wonderful partner for its understanding of technology.’
Cheaper cost is nothing but a loss of time and resources, believes Julien

on 26/06/2023

T hough Jubilee Corporation is undoubtedly a big name in the engineering world in Pakistan, the company’s understanding of modern technologies and engineering surely transmits signals to its international partners—Lovato Electric—makes it a distinct engineering concern in Pakistan. The level of satisfaction comes from Lovato through its representative for Asia Pacific region Julien Mermillon who talked to ER during Multitopic Sympoisum 2023 hosted by IEEEP in Karachi. Here is his interview for our readers.
How is Lovato’s relationship with Jubilee Corporation?
It’s a great pleasure to work with Jubilee Corporation. They are very competent people with high technical skills. At Lovato, we sell quite complex engineering solutions, mainly focusing on energy management, metering, control, and protection equipment. Today’s topic was dynamic power factor correction, which is part of power quality solutions. But mainly, we are focusing on metering equipment to understand power quality and the energy consumption. This is about how the energy is spent and if the energy supplied to a facility has proper power quality to avoid any issues. Jubilee Corporation is providing a complete mix of solutions by Lovato, including what we discussed in the Symposium. This solution provides great efficiency at a reasonable cost suitable for the facilities of Pakistan.
The people are conscious of the cost here despite the importance of technology. How is it possible to offer efficient systems at lower costs?
The matter of cost is always, like we say, a balance between CapEx and OpEx. You can invest in technology with cheap products and solutions, which may last only two years. It means you have lost your valuable time and money. A quality product can last for 15 years, which is generally what Lovato is offering. We use the best quality parts in our products. Let’s assume that the product is a box, and inside this box are electronics. Our electronics are made up of premium quality parts, which ensure long product life. It may be higher in cost initially, but over time, it is much cheaper than replacing a low-quality product three or four times in the same period. Lovato Electric is a main player in this category. We are a family-owned business, which means that the company is reinvesting its money to improve the product, not to please shareholders. We are making the best product at the best price, which means that we are expensive than low-quality products available in the market. Our customer is satisfied with the quality of our products.
Many people in the engineering sector believe the Chinese are a big challenge. Are they a challenge for your company too?
They are a challenge for the entire world, especially from the business point of view. Luckily, they target different market segments. Usually, they bring some very cheap solutions at the cost of low durability and reliability. Maybe you don’t see it here, but they also bring some very advanced solutions, which came to be at the same price as us. The main difference between Chinese and western or Japanese, or Korean companies is that we cannot afford to have low-cost and low-quality products due to the high cost of labor. If you install some low-cost equipment and you need to replace it after a few months, that will cost you a huge labor cost. This will also disturb the production process of the facility and reduce operational efficiency. So, in the end, it is a different market segment. Some people may want to try it, but others would not go for it.
You are also looking after the Asia Pacific region for Lovato. What is the landscape there in terms of metering and such solutions?
I would say, as compared to Lovato’s historical market, there are quite massive developments that involve huge numbers of meters to monitor energy consumption accurately. We have sold one of the biggest metering systems. It’s a competitive and challenging market, but I must say it is also a land of opportunity. Our partners, like Jubilee Corporation, are doing a great job representing Lovato products in their respective market.
While working with Jubilee Corporation, has Lovato had any thought to engage in any joint venture to manufacture products and provide systems in Pakistan?
Lovato is a family-owned business, and we don’t have many factories around the world. We have three manufacturing facilities in Italy. We are a medium size company, and we are focusing on staying efficient. We have no factory outside Europe. Time will tell us if we move on to the stage where we start manufacturing somewhere else outside Europe. I believe Pakistan could be a very high potential market for us. I am always pleased with the Jubilee Corporation team because they are probably the most technical people and well-accustomed to Lovato products. When we have some training sessions to check how much knowledge is assimilated by our partners, we are pleased to see that they are at the top of the list. By Manzoor Shaikh

Dr. BS Chowdhry and Dr. Amjad Hussain Attended IEEE R10 Annual Meeting in Vietnam

on 26/06/2023

The 2023 IEEE Region 10 Annual Meeting was recently held successfully in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, after three years of virtual and hybrid meetings. Prior to the annual general meeting (AGM), a technical workshop sponsored by the Global Energy Interconnection Department and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO) was held at the HCM City University of Technology on March 3. Over 100 leaders and delegates from IEEE Sections and Council in the region, as well as R10 ExCom members, attended the AGM. The IEEE dignitaries present were IEEE President, Professor Saifur Rahman, IEEE President Elect, Thomas Coughlin, IEEE-VP MGA, Jill Gostin, and IEEE Executive Director, Sophia Muirhead, who attended online, and Region 2 Director, Andrew Lowery. The meeting also received support and valuable advice from members of the R10 Nomination and Advisory Committee, including past IEEE President, Prof Toshio Fukuda, and past R10 Directors – Prof Akinori Nishihara, Prof Kukjin Chun, and Prof Janina Mazierska. Two special speakers from Region 8, Peter Nagy and Prof Mousmi Chaurasia, MGA Training Committee, were also invited.
During the meeting, there were speeches by IEEE senior leaders and speakers, reports and plans from various Chairs of R10 Committees, training and poster sessions, and presentations from flagship event organizers – TenSymp, R10 HTC, and TenCon in 2022, 2023, and 2024. The two-day event also included an award banquet with a cultural show, a half day of team bonding activities, and a dinner at an offsite restaurant. The feedback from delegates was positive, with lively discussions and active networking during the two days over breakfast, tea breaks, lunch, dinner, and even on the bus.
The success of the event was due to the contributions of all volunteers who are committed to the mission and vision of IEEE, and the assistance from the professional and efficient staff at the IEEE Asia-Pacific Office and IEEE Beijing office. The outcomes and success of the event were a result of the cooperation and dedication of everyone involved. It is also essential to recognize that human interactions cannot be replaced by online contacts. Finally, the organizers are confident that they will make Region 10, hundred percent, and express their gratitude to everyone who made the event possible.

Pakistan Cables signs MoU with Steam Pakistan

on 26/06/2023

Pakistan Cables signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pak Alliance for Math & Science Welfare Trust (PAMS) to partner with employee volunteering through STEAM Pakistan. STEAM Pakistan is a collaboration between the Malala Fund and the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training.
Pakistan Cables will partner with STEAM Pakistan by putting forward volunteers that will promote subjects of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) among students of secondary classes of Government schools through experiential learning.
Pakistan Cables Ltd. is an active advocate of the UN’s sustainable development goals – SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Female Empowerment). Previously rolled out ASCEND, its flagship initiative, to promote science and engineering-related fields by offering scholarships and internships among female students among leading public sector engineering universities of Pakistan. The collaboration for STEAM Pakistan is the second major initiative by the Company illustrating its commitment to youth empowerment.
Pakistan Cables Ltd. Founded in 1953, Pakistan Cables is the premiere and most reputable cable manufacturer in Pakistan. Being the only wire and cable manufacturer listed on the PSX since 1955, it is also a member company of the Amir S. Chinoy group. The company has the largest geographical footprint in Pakistan with a presence in over 180 cities. It is ISO9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and OHSAS 18001:2007 certified, and various cables type tested by KEMA, Netherlands.
STEAM Pakistan is a collaboration between the Malala Fund and the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training. The overall objective of STEAM Pakistan is to improve the learning outcomes of students enrolled in government schools across the country. The project also aims to develop cognitive and critical thinking abilities among students through targeted sessions and activities, with a particular focus on girls’ education. The Pak Alliance for Maths and Science (PAMS) is the lead implementing partner for STEAM Pakistan, with its head office in Islamabad, STEAM Policy Units in Karachi and Lahore, and a STEAM Policy Unit in Gilgit.
To date, STEAM Pakistan has enabled interactive Safeer sessions directly impacting over 7,500 school children in more than 170 government schools in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Gilgit. Impact activities include inspirational talks, hands-on learning, and career counseling by professionals on a variety of topics such as engineering, space exploration, marketing, mountaineering, climate change, and public policy to trigger their imagination.

Reverse engineering, local experts must for prosperity: Engr. Najeeb Haroon
IEEEP confers Life Time Achievement Award on Engr. Irfan Ahmed

on 26/06/2023

Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Engr. Najeeb Haroon has said that to improve the country’s economy, work on reverse engineering needs to be done, adding that “we have let our engineers down”. While energy remains a priority, IT and agriculture should be given due importance to improve the economy of Pakistan.
He was addressing as the Chief Guest at the IEEEP Multitopic Symposium 2023 held in Karachi with the presence of a large number of engineers and professionals from all over the country.
Earlier Engr. Khalid Pervez, leading the organization’s Karachi chapter highlighted the need of promoting a ‘Made in Pakistan’ approach.
Engr. Najeeb Haroon said that in small items we import even staplers. In large-scale industries, local value addition needs to be drastically improved.
The western world needs engineers, and perhaps we can earn foreign exchange by body leasing while we create jobs for our engineers in the Country.
We will have to think seriously in this direction,” he said adding that PEC engineers were supposed to work as “a brain” of the country. Unfortunately, the brain is not being used therefore nothing is coordinated.
Instead of its engineering experts, other unconcerned people are in the decision-making positions in every department, due to which no department is working properly.
The PEC Chairman asserted that for some reason the bureaucracy despises the engineering community and has no respect for the best-educated people in the country. This is the reason why good-performing college students are losing interest and admissions to engineering universities are falling. This trend needs to be changed.
He agreed with Engr. Khalid Pervez that “Make in Pakistan” should be part of our policies. Locally manufactured goods should be preferred. For the development of Pakistan, it is necessary to use the services of local experts.
A senior member of IEEEP, Engr. Irfan Ahmad who was the Chief Guest of the closing session being the recipient of this year’s IEEEP Life Time Achievement Award said that while the Country needs its brain, it is being drained out to the West. Only last year, hundreds of Pakistani engineers left for greener pastures as we are only producing job seekers in our universities. We do not even see what is inside the box itself. The doors of the West are now closing down for the outsiders. Only last month Amazon fired 18,000 of its workers and Google fired 12,000 people, including 450 Indian engineers. India was however quick to find jobs for its engineers in other countries. Our government on the other hand has not yet been able to provide an even service structure for engineers.
In the Symposium,18 technical papers on power, energy, telecom, and electronics were presented in various sessions, which also included a Panel Discussion on local manufacturing issues.

Leading exploration, production companies move to green energy

on 26/06/2023

Six Pakistani oil, and gas companies sign MoU for joint ventures; 15% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions come from oil and gas exploration
Leading oil and gas exploration companies in Pakistan have joined hands to
explore and pursue green hydrogen prospects, says the Petroleum Division of Pakistan’s Ministry of Energy.
These exploration and production companies include Oil & Gas Development Company Limited, Pak-Arab Refinery Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Mari Petroleum Company Limited, and Government Holdings (Private) Limited.
It merits mentioning that oil and gas are often painted as the dirtiest sector within the energy industry, but major companies around the world have begun to invest in renewable technologies in a bid to clean up the economy.
Of the six “super-majors” – BP, Shell, Chevron, Total, Eni, and Exxon – many of them have pumped billions into clean energy projects, although question marks remain over whether they are doing enough.
Despite the growth in renewables, “big oil” only spent 1% of its combined budget on green energy schemes in 2018.
The Petroleum Division says these companies in Pakistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for joint ventures in the future.
The MoU will be initially effective for two years from the date of signing and it will engage consultants and advisors to explore the opportunities.
Under the MoU, the companies will also establish a joint fund to raise equity for joint ventures and green energy initiatives, said the statement.
Additional Secretary of the Petroleum Division Muhammad Mahmood, who witnessed the event, said that the collaboration could drive the energy transition towards a more sustainable future, leveraging each company’s expertise and resources.
“This collaboration is a significant step towards building a more sustainable future for Pakistan and beyond,” added the official.
On the occasion, Managing Director of the Oil & Gas Development Company Limited Ahmed Hayat Lak said, “we are confident that by leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can accelerate the energy transition and create a greener, cleaner, and more prosperous future.”
The IEA’s Oil and Gas Industry in Energy Transitions report says while some oil and gas companies have taken steps to support efforts to combat climate change, the industry as a whole could play a much more significant role through its engineering capabilities, financial resources, and project-management expertise.
“No energy company will be unaffected by clean energy transitions,” said Dr. Fatih Birol. “Every part of the industry needs to consider how to respond. Doing nothing is simply not an option.”
The landscape of the oil and gas industry is diverse, meaning there is no single strategic response but a variety of approaches depending on each company’s circumstances.
“The first immediate task for all parts of the industry is reducing the environmental footprint of their own operations,” Dr. Birol said. “As of today, around 15% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions come from the process of getting oil and gas out of the ground and to consumers. A large part of these emissions can be brought down relatively quickly and easily.”
Reducing methane leaks into the atmosphere is the single most important and cost-effective way for the industry to bring down these emissions. But there are ample other opportunities to lower the emissions intensity of delivered oil and gas by eliminating routine flaring and integrating renewables and low-carbon electricity into new upstream and LNG developments.
“Also, with their extensive know-how and deep pockets, oil and gas companies can play a crucial role in accelerating deployment of key renewable options such as offshore wind, while also enabling some key capital-intensive clean energy technologies – such as carbon capture, utilisation, storage, and hydrogen – to reach maturity,” Dr. Birol added. “Without the industry’s input, these technologies may simply not achieve the scale needed for them to move the dial on emissions.”
Some oil and gas companies are diversifying their energy operations to include renewables and other low-carbon technologies. However, average investment by oil and gas companies in non-core areas has so far been limited to around 1% of total capital spending, with the largest outlays going to solar PV and wind. Some oil and gas companies have also diversified by acquiring existing non-core businesses – for example in electricity distribution, electric-vehicle charging, and batteries – while stepping up research and development activity. But overall, there are few signs of the large-scale change in capital allocation needed to put the world on a more sustainable path.
An essential task is to step up investment in fuels – such as hydrogen, biomethane, and advanced biofuels – that can deliver the energy system benefits of oil and gas without net carbon emissions. Within 10 years, these low-carbon fuels would need to account for around 15% of overall investment in fuel supply if the world is to get on course to tackle climate change. In the absence of low-carbon fuels, transitions become much harder and more expensive.