Essay that I attempted in CSS 2012!

[Wish maker]

Respected forum members! This is 98 percent of what i had produced in the paper. Kindly give it a read. Rate it out of 100. Your insights and suggestions will be highly appreciated.

Maximum Regards,

Wish Maker



Energy Crisis in Pakistan: Causes and Consequences

By: Wish Maker

SYNOPSIS:

1) Introduction
2) Present energy picture of Pakistan
3) Causes behind the energy crisis in Pakistan

a. Poor energy planning
b. Non use of alternative energy resources
c. Rely on quick fixes to solve the crisis
d. Politicization of mega projects
e. Unchecked Energy theft

4) Consequences of energy crisis on Pakistan

A) Economic
Flight of capital
Shrinking Foreign Direct Investment
Closure of industry
Severe blow to agriculture sector

B) Social

Turmoil and chaos in society
Educational loss
Critical problems for health sector


C) Political

Political uncertainty
Public trust erosion

5) Turning energy around: Pragmatic steps to solve the energy crisis in Pakistan

a. Political commitment
b. Long term energy planning
c. Use of alternative energy resources
d. Exploitation of Thar Coal on war footings
e. Up gradation and maintenance of existing power generation plants
f. Co energy production with sugar mills
g. Production of energy from solid waste
h. Energy conservation

6) Conclusion



Energy infuses life into human and business activities. It makes things possible for functioning in a constant way. It allows socio economic development and prosperity. Its failure halts all the activities of life. Pakistan is marred by an energy crisis in spite of its abundant natural resources. The country has failed to utilize its reserves for the enhancement of its industry and economy. The current energy crisis has stunted the economic growth of the country. It has disturbed the peace and order of the country as reflected in violent public protests against the long power shortages. However, Pakistan can deal with its energy crisis by investing in energy for long term planning and efficiently using its alternative resources like wind, solar, nuclear and coal. The last mentioned has the capacity to generate 10, 0000 MW for more than 200 years.


Currently, Pakistan is capable of producing 19505 mega watts (MW) while the demand is that of 2500 megawatts, outstanding with a deficit of 3000 MW to 6000 MW in the peak seasons. Precisely speaking, Pakistan generates 65 percent thermal power, 33 percent hydro electricity and 2 percent nuclear energy. Keeping the present energy picture in mind, the short fall could go up to 13000 MW by 2020.There is a dire need to bridge this gap for the prosperity of the country.


There are many factors behind the energy crisis in Pakistan but poor energy planning tops the list. Subsequent regimes have dealt with the energy sector on ad-hoc basis. The approach has been project oriented and not goal oriented. Energy sustainability and long term planning has been an alien concept for the government. Consequently, Pakistan is crippled by an energy crisis.


Pakistan spends billions of dollars on oil export to meet its energy requirements. Little has been done to exploit its own abundant natural resources. The non use of alternative energy resources to generate electricity is a major reason behind the energy crisis in the country. India on the other hand, took full advantage of its natural resources. India is the 4th largest exporter of wind energy in the world.


It is natural that when things go wrong on a larger scale, quick fixes are sought to solve the crisis. This is what exactly has happened in Pakistan. The short term measures like Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and Rental Power Producers (RPPs) is a case in point that has been attempted at solving the energy crisis in Pakistan. Such short term solutions will not address the energy crisis permanently. Moreover, the tariff structure of electricity produced from IPPs and RPPs is very high which adds to the miseries of a common man. This is a move taken in panic which is further worsening the situation. It is against the energy sustainability of the country.


The politicization of mega power generation projects is yet another factor behind the worsening energy crisis in Pakistan. The paramount example is that of Kala Bagh Dam. Studies have found that the project has been put on the back burner due to certain ethnic and political reasons. The politicians need to realize that using the Kala Bagh for political point scoring will not serve anyone’s purpose except pushing the economy of the country to the wall.


Last but very important factor behind the current energy crisis in Pakistan is unchecked energy theft. Every year energy producing companies have to bear a massive loss due to electricity theft. The thieves use unmetered electricity lavishly. The stolen energy directly contributes to the disruption of power supply to the registered users. This practice must be abandoned.


The energy crisis has many economic, social and political consequences for Pakistan. In the economic field, the flight of capital is most obvious. The current power crisis has badly damaged the industrial sector of the country. The industrialists are compelled to shift their industrial units from Pakistan to other countries especially, Bangladesh. The flight of capital is directly hitting the economic growth of the country.


Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is considered a very important factor in the sustainability of the economy of a country. But due to energy crisis in Pakistan, it is rapidly shrinking. Foreign investors have ceased to invest in Pakistani market.


The current energy crisis has severely affected the industrial sector of the country. Thousands of industrial units are being shut down due to unavailability of electricity to run the units. It has disastrous impact on the economy of the country. Nationally, more and more people are falling into the poverty pool and internationally, the image of the country is being tarnished as the producers are unable to export their goods on time.


Agriculture sector contributes 23 percent to the GDP of the country’s economy. It has been badly hit by the current power crisis. The country’s agriculture sector mainly depends upon the conventional methods of irrigation like tube wells. The tube wells are not working due to the unavailability of energy which is halting the irrigation process. The use of urea and pesticides is essentially important for high crop yield. The pesticides and urea making factories are being closed down. Resultantly, country has to import these items to meet the indigenous need. But, high prices make them out of the farmer’s reach. No use of pesticides and urea means poor crop yield. In short, the agriculture sector is in doldrums due to the current energy crisis in the country.


The energy crisis has many social repercussions also. It has disturbed the peace and order of the country. The violent public protests are visible due to extended power shortages in the country. The protesters damage the public property and create law and order situation in the country. This practice portrays a very negative image of the country in the international media. The education and health sector are also suffering from the current energy crisis in Pakistan.


The energy crisis has a potential to destabilize the political structure of the country as well. It has created political uncertainty in the country. The trust of the masses in their representatives is subsequently eroding. The public has realized that the sitting government has been unable to solve the issue. This disenchantment has made the masses think to vote out the ruling political party in the next public elections.


Despite the gloomy situation, Pakistan can deal with its energy crisis. What is needed is political commitment and honest will of those at the helm of the affairs. Our leaders should realize that energy crisis can never be solved through ad-hoc base solutions. They should chalk out an energy planning and invest in the energy sector for long term gains.


The exploitation and use of alternative energy resources like wind, tidal, nuclear and solar should be made priority number one. The exploitation of Thar coal mines should be done on war footings. Thar coal has the capacity to meet the energy requirements of Pakistan for next 200 years. According to the Thar coal project head Dr. Samar Mubarik Mand,

“Pakistan has no reason to stay poor after the
cheap generation of electricity and oil from
Thar coal. The need of the hour is to focus on
men power and financial reasons for the expl-
oitation of this great gift of God to Pakistan.”

Similarly, up gradation and maintenance of existing power plants, co energy production with sugar mills, production of energy from solid waste and energy conservation will go a long way in solving the energy crisis of Pakistan.


To conclude, the energy crisis lies at the heart of multiple challenges faced by Pakistan. It is the result of years bad planning and mismanagement of natural resources. It has disastrous social, economic and political repercussions for Pakistan. The time has come that our political leadership should leave the petty politics of non issues and concentrate on real issues. The policy makers at Islamabad need to realize that more than the suicide bombers, more than sectarian violence in the country; it is the energy crisis that threatens the country. It must be solved as soon as possible. Pakistan is blessed with an abundant wealth of natural resources which have every possibility to turn the energy around in the country. It is hoped that every effort will be made to exploit these natural gifts of God to Pakistan. A peaceful, prosperous, economically stable and of course, an energy sufficient Pakistan is not far away.

[nbangash]

it is very good article written by you .. i rate it as 80.

[amnayounas15]

good attempt i give u 55

[Zara Sheikh]

50 from my side

[soft rock]

Expect between 60 & 65

[Ranjha M S]

[QUOTE=Wish maker;486447]Respected forum members! This is 98 percent of what i had produced in the paper. Kindly give it a read. Rate it out of 100. Your insights and suggestions will be highly appreciated.



Though I have not read whole of your essay. Whatever part I read, as per my modest knowledge, it looks a pretty compact one. You have covered most of the technicalities of an essay e.g. comprehensive outlines, good start, nice paragrahing, impressive and optimistic finish and more importantly, your language seems great. I am sure you will be duely rewarded.
However, I have one query for you and for other seniors. Was it necessary or adviseable to give recommendations, for it is also advised that one must not go beyong the topic that was; "Energy cisis in Pakistan: causes and consequencs".

[soft rock]

@Ranjha S

a template for your last query (I.e as it is said one should stick only to ....energy crisis : causes & consequences) surely, one must stick to what is asked but the asked & actually required info of your essay could not set into to these two headings I.e (1) energy crisis causes, & (2), energy crisis consequences. explainingly, if we talk about the 1st heading I.e (1) energy crisis causes,. The causes of energy crisis , no doubt would have history, which you will have to make another sub-title for, consequences(being already asked), solutions,I.e causes of energy crisis creating consequences for us , will have to be dealt with by responsible entities (I.e solutions,) the planning to resolve the issue of energy ,would include both short term & long term recovery plans. not only chill-out the presentl prevalent energy,s enigme but also to design such plans that other foreign countries may also hv the capability of seeking our help in the intended concern.( which is atleast not possible in corrupt traditional govts ,ruling Pakistan), further observing the consequences foreign aid should also be referred,(as many have been offered to pakistan), under a prominent sub-heading of your essay.
So the energy crisis essay should not be handled ,limited to its causes & consequences, in a biased manner but rather in breezy & animated manner to inspire the examiner that you deserve , a deserving credit for your good essay.
furthermore, You are supposed to be a civil servant of future , so you have to portray & present yourself as civil servant in the text of your essay,by putting forward your solutions to energy crisis, inevitably.

[Ranjha M S]

Originally Posted by soft rock

@Ranjha S

a template for your last query (I.e as it is said one should stick only to ....energy crisis : causes & consequences) surely, one must stick to what is asked but the asked & actually required info of your essay could not set into to these two headings I.e (1) energy crisis causes, & (2), energy crisis consequences. explainingly, if we talk about the 1st heading I.e (1) energy crisis causes,. The causes of energy crisis , no doubt would have history, which you will have to make another sub-title for, consequences(being already asked), solutions,I.e causes of energy crisis creating consequences for us , will have to be dealt with by responsible entities (I.e solutions,) the planning to resolve the issue of energy ,would include both short term & long term recovery plans. not only chill-out the presentl prevalent energy,s enigme but also to design such plans that other foreign countries may also hv the capability of seeking our help in the intended concern.( which is atleast not possible in corrupt traditional govts ,ruling Pakistan), further observing the consequences foreign aid should also be referred,(as many have been offered to pakistan), under a prominent sub-heading of your essay.
So the energy crisis essay should not be handled ,limited to its causes & consequences, in a biased manner but rather in breezy & animated manner to inspire the examiner that you deserve , a deserving credit for your good essay.
furthermore, You are supposed to be a civil servant of future , so you have to portray & present yourself as civil servant in the text of your essay,by putting forward your solutions to energy crisis, inevitably.

I am struggling to make out what you exactly want to say. I am afraid my question was not that complex.

[Wish maker]

@ Ranjha. Sir you have raised a very valid point here. But in my humble opinion, there shouldn't be any harm in giving some solutions after discussing the causes and affects of an issue.I did what i though best then.

I would also request other active members like PearlyS and Saara to come up with their insights as well.

[shahreenaa]

Good attempt, but not very good or excellent. I give you 41

ALLAH BLESS YOU.