Renewable Energy Source & Energy Crisis in Pakistan

[Farrah Zafar]

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy refers to any energy which is regenerated over a short period of time through natural processes. It does not include energy resources derived from fossil fuels, waste products from fossils or from inorganic sources. It can be derived directly from the sun such as thermal, photochemical and photoelectric, indirectly from the sun such as wind, hydropower and photosynthetic energy stored in biomass, or from other natural movements and mechanisms of the environment such as geothermal and tidal energy.

According to Global Status report of Renewables 2011, about 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 3% and are growing very rapidly. The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 19%, with 16% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables.

Four Renewable Sources of Energy

Renewable energy resources include;

1)Solar energy
2)Geothermal energy
3)Biomass Energy
4)Wind Energy

Energy Resources of Pakistan

1)Pakistan is rich in natural resources.There is 175 billion tons of coal at Thar and it has more energy reserves than the oil of Saudi Arabia and can produce 100,000 MW for 300 years.The coal can also produce clean methane gas through coal gasification which is able to meet the needs of Pakistan for the next 100 years.

2)Pakistan has the 21st largest river in the world regarding annual flow,many small rivers and it has one of the largest irrigation systems in the world with abundant canals.

3)The wind corridor in the south is capable to generate over 50,000 MW.

4)Pakistan has an abundant solar belt which can produce larger amounts of energy both thermal and photovoltaic.

5)Pakistan has huge capacity to generate energy by nuclear means though currently it hardly generates 750 MW.


Solution for Energy Crisis

Pakistan can come out of energy crisis by utilizing its own resources.

1)The idea of free distribution of energy-saver light bulbs by governement should be implemented as soon as possible.

2)Dams and Run of River projects should be set up to produce Hydel energy.

3)Coal is one of the cheapest ways to produce electricity and Pakistan has the 7th largest coal reserve in the world.Thar coal project initiated by Dr.Mubarak can produce large amounts of electricty by coal gasification.That project should be provided the required facilities to get positive result soon.

4)Gas pipeline projects like TAPI should be implemented right away.

5)To overcome this energy crisis,Pakistan needs to explore indigenous local resources.Karachi is best suited for furnace oil plants as there the port and refinery facilities are available.

6)Pakistan's nuclear program is small but its capacity should be increased to generate energy.

7)There is another major issue which needs to be resolved first,that is,Our energy infrastructure is not well developed and it's poorly managed.Government's role is crucial in this crisis so it should control transmission losses due to out-dated infrastructure,power theft and seasonal reductions in availability of hydropower.

By taking above mentioned steps immediately,Pakistan can be in position to not only overcome its energy crisis but also to produce more electricity than its needs.