Originally Posted by sadafnoorelahi

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Q8: Critically evaluate the causes of Energy crisis in Pakistan and its concequences for the ecnomic growth and socail fabric in the country.
Q.4 How can the energy crisis of Pakistan be resolved?

Introduction:

Pakistan is going through the worst energy crises that have jeopardized each and every sector of the society and led to the stagnation of life at all levels. Energy is the lifeline of any country. The development of country is directly related to the availability of cheap energy. The major reason that has stalled the economic development of Pakistan is ,therefore, the unavailability of cheap energy. Energy crises are like a bottleneck to our economic growth.

Energy consumption:

At present, Pakistan has a demand of 15000 to 20000 ME of electricity. However, Pakistan can produce only 11600 mw of electricity. Therefore, a shortfall of 4500 to 9000 mw exists. Recently, prime minister nawaz sharif has announced that the production of electricity would be increased to 17000 mw.

Energy production:
Energy in Pakistan is produced by a mix of non-renewable resources namely, gas, oil, coal and renewable resources primarily hydropower.

Energy production from non-renewable resources.
Renewable resources are organic nature. They include oil, coal, natural gas. They are formed from the remains of animals and plants buried centuries ago. High temperature and pressure has converted the remains into these resources over a period of time.
a) Oil: the contribution of oil to the energy production sector is a significant 29 %. Oil is mainly used in running machinery and transport vehicles. Most of the oil used for the energy sector is imported. Arab spring uprising has caused fluctuation in the oil prices, posing dire consequenes for the energy sector of the country.

b) Gas: gas is the largest contributor to the energy sector with a contribution of 48%. It is used in manufacturing industries, fertilizer cement and in running vehicles. Pakistan stands 3rd in the list of the countries with greatest number of CNG running vehicles. At present, there are 3.5 billion cars in Pakistan dependent on CNG. Pakistan has reserves of 28 TCF and it is using them at the rate of 1.2 TCF . Pakistan has to adopt a responsible role and be mindful of the futuristic demands before the resources are depleted.

c)




d) Coal: Pakistan has the seventh largest coal reserves amounting to 185 billion tones. Out of the huge amount, 175 billion tones alone are present in thar coal fields. Still,Pakistan imports coal as the domestic coal is not of good quality.

Renewable resources
a) Water: water is used for the generation of electricity. At present, it provides 6500 mw of electricity. Water is stored up in dams and then water from depth falls upon turbines, rotating blades and generating electricity from the generator. Tarbela provides 3500 mw of electricity followed by ghazi brotha which produces 1500 mw .

b) Wind: moving air is called wind. Wind is used to drive turbines and generate electricity. according to alternative energy development board,Pakistan has the potential to produce 350000 mw of electricity using wind power. However, at present Pakistan has an installed capacity of only 6 mw. According to AEDB, ghari khato alone has the potential to generate 50000 to 70000 mw of electricity.

c) Solar energy: sun is the ultimate source of energy. Sun is used to heat up water in the solar panels which are converted to steam and then used for the generation of electricity. pakistan is quite fortunate with regard to the availability of this energy. But unfortunately, it has not utilized the potential. It is believed that Pakistan has a potential to produce 100000 mw of electricity using solar energy. At present, there are some investors that are importing solar panels.

d) Nuclear energy: nuclear reactions in the nuclear power plants are used to provide the necessary energy for electricity generation. Atomic energy commission, so far, has developed three nuclear power plants and their contribution to energy sector is nominal. Pakistan, due to being a non-signatory to nuclear non-proliferation treaty faces limitations to availability of the required raw materials and also faces the trouble of uranium enrichment.

Causes of energy crises:
a) Reliance on non-renewable resources: Pakistan is a developing country. Still, it spends an enormous sum of money on importing non-renewable resources such as oil, gas and coal. the price and of these resources is subject to fluctuations due to political factors . such as the esacalation of oil prices in the aftermath of arab spring or during 1967 arab-israel war. Similarly, iran gas pipeline, too ,has been under immense political pressure.

b) Lack of dependence on indigenous sources: Pakistan is rich in resources but poor in management. The statement holds true in the context of energy sector. Despite possessing 7 th largest coal reserves, Pakistan faces enormous difficuilties in fulfilling its requirements. In addition, being a populous country, Pakistan has an abundance of waste which can also be used in energy production. being an agricultural country, Pakistan can use sugar cane,maize and many vegetables and their oils for the production of energy.

c) Policy failures: perhaps the most significant factor in the ongoing energy crises is the policy failure. Time and again, politicians have failed to understand the rising population and its demands of energy. they have not built dams such as kalabagh dam due to the absence of consensus.

d) Standard of living: despite the fact, that Pakistan is a developing country even a cursory glance of society seems to portray an otherwise scenario. Roads are loaded with private vehicles, burdening an already burdened energy sector.


e) Maintenance problems: Pakistan also suffers from the problem of electricity theft and the leakage problem. this is due to the failure of the instituition to keep the pipes maintained and to draft laws that check theft.

f) Circular debt: it refers to the vicious circle in which payment deficit by the consumers leads to default of the power producers and a long queue of defaulters from the raw material producers to electricity producers, labour of generators etc. the debt amounted to 480 million rupees in 2013, which PM nawaz sharif has announced as being settled now.

Effect of energy crises

• Energy crises has stunted the economic growth of the country. The sources of the revenue generation have been crippled by the unscheduled loadshedding

• Pakistan is an agricultural country, and the few industries that Pakistan had have been closed down due to power shortages. Labour have been out of work. This has increased unemployment.

• Moral depravity is on rise due to poverty. People are experiencing food crises and to escape from the grip of food- insecurity they do whatever options are procided to them including theft, smuggling, drugs etc.

• The GDP of the country gets a significant contribution from the agricultural sector. however, energy crises have not fulfilled the demand of timely supply of water to the crops.

• Loss of peace and tranquility: unscheduled power outages have adversely affected individuals emotionally and mentally.

Suggestions

• Pakistan can easily come out of the dismal situation through proper management. First of all, conservation policy should be adopted.people should be mindful of the use of energy.

• Office timings should be adjusted so as to maximize the use of solar energy and minimize the dependence of energy sector.

• People should be discouraged from buying private cars. Infact, they should be encouraged to use public vehicles, wagons, buses etc.

• Markets should be closed at sunset with only a few necessary shops left.

• Government on its part should stop registration of CNG cars to reduce the consumption of natural gas.

• Coal gasification- a rather novel strategy wherein coal is converted to gas underground and then brought to surface. This, will reduce the expenses needed to dig out coal from beneath the oil.

• Alternative energy sources should be used to maximum.

let us mobilize our resources in a a systematic and organized way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with a grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation (jinnah)

• As Pakistan faces funding problems, it should open up projects with foreign collaboration. China, is a dear friend and always ready to extend support to Pakistan.

• Communities should be encouraged to open small hydropower dams as in army. this is possible in the country due to the abundance of naturally flowing water bodies.

• Simplicity should be advocated. The life of pomp and show will only add fuel to the already burning energy crises issue.

Conclusion:

Pakistan is facing the worst energy crises. This is a result of faulty policies enacted in the previous governments. In addition, the relevant instituition too has not maintained the pipelines and neither checked power theft. Cut your coat according to your cloth is the only panacea to the problem. Pakistan has an agro based economy and its energy consumption is meager compared to the world economies. therefore, it will be easier for it to come out of the crises by adopting mindful strategies.