K-Electric (KE) concluded the Grand Finale of its flagship Energy Progress & Innovation Challenge (EPIC) 2025, reaffirming its commitment to advancing localisation, innovation, and sustainability in Pakistan’s energy sector. The event celebrated groundbreaking ideas from academia and startups, culminating in the selection of three winning projects from a nationwide pool of over 250 applications.
The first prize of PKR 1.5 million was awarded to a team from NUST led by Abdul Hadi and Syed Abdul Haseeb Ali for their tamper-proof PMT-based load shedding solution. Government College University Faisalabad, represented by Dr Abdul Rauf Bhatti and Tallataf Rasheed, secured the second position and PKR 1 million for their automated demand forecasting using artificial neural networks. The third prize of PKR 750,000 went to NED University’s team of Shariq Shaikh, Sohaibuddin, M. Waleed, and Mubashir Ali for their optimised AI model for electricity demand forecasting.
The winners were selected by a prestigious jury comprising industry leaders and innovation experts including Maha Qasim, Shehryar Omar, Shehryar Hydri, Amir Iqbal, Tara Uzra Dawood, Inam ur Rehman, Shaista Ayesha, Sheikh Imran ul Haque, Jehan Ara, Nadeem Shaikh, and Syed Azfar Hussain.
“EPIC 2025 represents KE’s broader commitment to shaping the future of energy through purposeful innovation. As Pakistan’s energy needs grow in complexity, we must go beyond conventional approaches and create space for ideas that can deliver scalable, long-term impact. EPIC is not just about finding solutions—it’s about building the ecosystem that will sustain them,” said Moonis Alvi, CEO of K-Electric.
“EPIC is not just a platform—it’s a movement,” added Sadia Dada, Chief Distribution & Marcomms Officer at KE. “It’s about turning ideas into action, improving access, reliability, and sustainability for the millions we serve. What makes EPIC truly unique is that it reflects KE’s transformation into a forward-looking utility—one that’s not just adapting to the future but actively helping shape it. By investing in innovation today and bringing together bright minds from academia, industry, and startups, we’re solving real-world problems and scaling solutions that can uplift the entire power sector.”
Launched in March 2025, EPIC attracted a diverse range of applicants proposing next-gen energy solutions, including AI-powered analytics, IoT-enabled operations, and smart grid innovations. The initiative has firmly positioned itself as a pioneering platform for collaborative problem-solving in Pakistan’s evolving energy landscape.
