The Energy Crisis - Pakistan - Term Paper for Pakistan Studies

Energy Crisis In Pakistan

Abstract:

Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis for many years. There are many causes of energy crisis in Pakistan. For example, Lack of investment, wastage of energy, not utilizing the natural resources and security issues are main reasons for energy crisis in Pakistan. There are many solutions to overcome this severe problem but some of these have been discussed in this paper. If our country uses its natural resources in a true sense, place some hydel plants and work on some renewable energy projects then Pakistan will definitely overcome this stark problem.  

  

Introduction:

Life on Earth is compelled by energy and energy is an ultimate requirement in all over the world. Now days, Electricity, natural gas, water and fuel are vital sources of energy. Pakistan has been facing an Extraordinary energy crisis since the last few years. The problem becomes more severe during summers. Initially, there was a power shortage of 3-4 hours daily but gradually it keeps on increasing as the demand of electricity rises. According to the reports of Wapda, the electricity is not enerating rapidly but the electricity need of Pakistan increases more rapidly than it can be generated which is a major cause of long duration load sheading in Pakistan. In Pakistan electricity is not generated due to the long lasting problems of low productivity, higher system losses and low financial profitability. In Pakistan there is critical shortage of electricity. The need of electricity in Pakistan is ncreasing day by day. For example in Pakistan the demand of electricity is increasing at the rate of 8% annually. But no power plant or power generation unit has been installed for last 8-9 years in Pakistan. Almost two years ago the Chairman Water and Power Authority (WAPDA) admitted that his organization could not meet the current demand for electricity. It is very shocking that WAPDA took so long time to determine this severe problem. The government of Pakistan has failed to control the current energy crisis. The present  energy crisis is totally due to lack of forecasting and planning.

Climax of the Content:

Many factors have fed into the problems Pakistan faces today. They include the following

A Lack of Investment:

The energy sector of Pakistan is suffering due to the lack of investment from many years. Due to the lack of investment, existing Infrastructure is in need of repair and restoration. Due to this plans for new plants and equipment are either put on hold or delayed.

Wastage of Energy:

So far the precautions to save energy are limited to newspaper, ads and in seminars. No serious thought and precautions is being given to utilize the energy at the top level. A new culture need to develop to conserve energy. Sometimes the government of Pakistan said that the illiteracy is the cause for the failure of energy conservation program. But this is not the reality. Maximum energy is consumed by elite class and high class officials which has all the resources of knowledge and communication. But these elite class people ignore this problem for their own luxury.

Exploring Coal:

Pakistan is blessed with large amount of the natural resources and coal is the one of the important resource. Again no serious work is done to utilize the coal for power generation. It is blamed that coal is not of good quality.

Nonpayment:

Another cause of energy crises in Pakistan is the low prices energy and the high levels of nonpayment. Unpaid bill losses are huge in Pakistan. The national power company, Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) is reported that in fall 2010-11 Pepco have lost $1 billion in unpaid bills and this is the big loss for the energy sector of the Pakistan.

Security Issues:

When we talked about the energy development in Pakistan our country is facing two types of security problems, one is terrorism and the other is localized threats coming from specific complaints. Unfortunately Pakistan’s energy resources are located in very challenging position. For example, gas and coal reserves are found in Blochistan with oil deposits located in the troubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. The Thar Desert in Sindh holds great potential in terms of coal reserves, but these have yet to be exploited.

High Cost of Fuel:

The high cost of fuel is also the cause of energy crises in Pakistan. The high cost of fuel i.e. the price of crude has increased from $40 to $140 a barrel. This offensive rise in cost means that the thermal source of production is resulting in excessive prices. As WAPDA and KESC buy energy on high cost, hence, they will sell it at a higher price too. Therefore they do not move on general complain of load shedding.

Monopoly in Business:

WAPDA and KESC have a monopoly in this business. The private sector of the Pakistan has not given the chance to install power plant. In this way rates have not been decided on a competitive basis and the constant power of supply has not guaranteed yet.

Distribution System:

Another cause of energy crisis in Pakistan is the poor distribution system. Wapda stated that the main cause of tripping and breaks down of the system are poor distribution system. This is true that the distribution system causes many unwanted tripping and break down but now we honestly believe that the shortage of energy generation is our main cause of the problem for last twenty years. WAPDA and KESC complained about the distribution system but fail to bring any improvement.

Conclusion/Suggestions/Recommendations:

It is the silly solution that asks the nation to use minimum energy while performing their daily routine. These are just ignoring attitude and the lame excuses. We need proper solutions to this problem. I have suggested some proper solutions to fulfill the energy crises of Pakistan. The trend of current energy consumption in Pakistan is totally inefficient whether it be in the domestic, industrial, trade or commercial sectors. With a little change in attitude and with a minimal effort about

10 percent of the national electricity can be saved. In our society it’s a common practice that leaving the lights and home appliance on even when they are not being used. Pakistan is rich in hydro resources of energy. According to an estimate the country has enough resources to generate approximately 40000 mw of hydro-electricity. However, presently it only generates 8000 Mw of electricity against an installed capacity of 11327 mw. Pakistan should use its hydro resources in a right direction to generate electricity.

2. Improved energy mix:

Energy mix means that the sources of energy we utilize in Pakistan to fulfill our overall energy needs. Pakistan needs more hydel plants and renewable energy projects to overcome energy crisis. In the next five years, the aim should be at getting five percent of our total power supply from renewable sources.

3. Use of Nuclear Power:

Pakistan should also use the nuclear power. Right now, we are at about three percent power generation from nuclear sources, which should have to increase at least 30%.

  

3. Solar Energy:

Use of solar energy is the best way to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan. One of the best sources which are being applied successfully throughout the world very effectively and efficiently is the solar energy. Through this process energy is being produced through the utilization of direct sunlight. This system can be implemented by attaching few solar panels on the roofs of the house where direct sunlight is being

exposed. These solar panels will convert the sunlight into solar energy which can be the alternative for electricity and can be consumed on both the domestic and commercial scales of the country.

4. Thermal Power:

Thermal power is another way to produce electricity in Pakistan. Thermal power is mostly produced by burning either natural gas or imported oil. Pakistan should use its natural resources like gas to produce electricity. The country is yet to switch over to coal from the original source of energy that is estimated to be the third largest in the world with a reserve of 33.0 trillion tons.

5. Geothermal power:

Geothermal power is also the best alternative to overcome energy crisis in Pakistan. Geothermal power has a great capacity of generating 100,000 megawatts of electricity. Pakistan should use this technology to produce electricity.  

4. Wind Energy:

Another way of producing electricity in Pakistan is the use of wind energy. The wind energy is getting more and more popular day by day in the world but unfortunately it is still unused and unnoticed in Pakistan. Through this source we can create electricity and energy from the utilization of wind flow through the use of wind mills. This is more cheap than the solar energy and will also fulfill the energy needs for both the domestic and commercial sector consumption. Finally, I conclude that Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis for many years but if Pakistan Government pay attention to this problem and take some serious action to overcome this and last but not the least if our country use it’s natural resources in a effective way then Pakistan will definitely overcome this energy crisis one day.

References:

http://rehanenergy.com/articles/cause-of-energy-crisis-in-pakistan/

http://www.ilmkidunya.com/student_articles/solutions-of-energy-crisis-in-pakistan-426.aspx

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/05/12/comment/editors-mail/solution-to-energy-crisis/

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Submitted By: AYAZ ISHAQ (UMT LAHORE)