Pakistan Biomass Raw Material & Biomass Pellet Energy Support Policies
Overview
Pakistan has scarce forest resources. The main feedstock for biomass pellets is agricultural crop residues instead of timber. There is no standalone national legislation exclusively for biomass pellet manufacturing. Relevant incentives are integrated into national renewable energy frameworks. Punjab province leads the local biomass development with straw-burning restrictions and supply-chain support. Market demand for biomass pellets is mainly driven by the shortage of industrial gas supply.
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK): The largest source of woody biomass in Pakistan. Temperate coniferous forests and shrubs in northern mountain areas produce abundant forest thinnings and branch residues. UNDP biomass demonstration projects are deployed in Swat and Mansehra.
- Punjab Province: Limited natural forest resources, but massive wood waste from scattered farm trees, riverine forests and fruit orchards.
- Sindh Province: Mangrove resources along the southern coast supply limited woody feedstock. Inland areas are dominated by agriculture with little woody biomass.
- Balochistan: Vast arid desert shrubs. Raw materials are widely dispersed, leading to high collection and transportation costs, not suitable for large-scale pellet plants.
