I have written some of the excerpts of energy issue in Pakistan. That is not the whole topic but just an intro. Would any one kindly evaluate critically.
Energy Crises in Pakistan – Causes, Effects and Remedies
Now a days the word that is most audible everywhere is crisis and not just one crisis but multiple one o.e. crises. Energy shortage is surely one of them besides many others. Day after day, the energy equation is getting complex at national and domestic level. The previous governments are being accused of neglecting energy sector and present one are being pushed to present quick and grand solutions.
With recent economic growth of past decade, the energy needs of the country are growing more rapidly than new energy general capacity. Urbanisation, growing population, rapid industrial growth along with other socio=economic development factors lead to the increase in demand of energy. Pakistan is consuming all of its domestically produced natural gas and is making plan to construct pipelines to import gas from neighbouring countries. Domestically explored oil is not sufficient to meet energy requirements of the country and import of oil as well as other refined petroleum products from Middle East is growing steadily. Daily black outs are disturbing commercial life in the cities and majority of the rural population, without access to national grid and other modern energy sources, demand to built more power plants are getting louder every month. Long stand of queues of auto mobiles and pubic vehicles outside gas stations tell us the severity of problem.
If we have a look on power generation infrastructure in Pakistan then we can easily bifurcate in to sources i.e. renewable and non renewable sources. Renewable energy sources contain hydropower, tidal power, wind and solar energy. They are called renewable sources because they replenished in a short period of time. Day after day, the sun shines, the wind blows and the rivers flow. They are found abundant in nature to produce energy. Thermal power plants generate roughly two-third of the country’s electricity. The potentials of some mega infrastructures are:
- Tarbela Dam – 3478 Mega Watt
- Ghazi Brotha Dam – 1450 Mega Watt
- Mangla Dam – 1000 Mega Watt
- Warsak Dam – 240 Mega Watt.