Energy Crisis in Pakistan
By Ramsha Batool
Being a third world developing country, Pakistan confronts to serious energy crisis. Pakistan’s electricity problem requires a great deal of attention today in order to stave off being a cause of dispute domestically and internationally. Main and foremost reason that contributes the most in this regard is shortage of water in dams. According to a recent news, Tarbela dams have to closed their 12 units due to less water level. Another major cause is that older equipments are being used for power generation that have less capacity than we require today. This energy crisis of Pakistan has an immense effect on Pakistan sectors for example, 33% of the energy is utilised by Manufacturing sector for which they have to pay high cost, this may increase their production cost.
It is estimated that Pakistan needs approximately 22,000-24,000 megawatt of electricity in Pakistan. But, it has never produced more than 18,000 megawatt. Pakistan should expand its capacity of building wind, solar and hydro projects. According to an official, the circular debt of Pakistan is Rs 400 billion, which is enough for investing in these projects and help them prosper to a level where they can be helpful for Pakistan to develop its power generating capacity. Other than that, Bhasha Dam is under construction which has a capacity of generating 4500 megawatt of electricity which is quite beneficial for our country.
The present government did not focused on hydro power, although, it is most economic friendly source of power generation. But it has prioritised coal and LNG for this purpose which are useful for short term only and are not made to last because of its high production cost. The neighbouring as well as distant countries including China, America and Germany have started production of hydro electricity. Moreover, According to NREL, an American research institution, Pakistan has a capacity of producing 29000 megawatt of solar energy and 346000 megawatt of capacity for wind energy. But still, Pakistan is dependent on Loans and foreign investments.
These facts prove that Pakistan is self sufficient in this regard but still we are not thankful to Allah and are not utilising the blessings that we have for the development of Pakistan. I would like to suggest that the government of Pakistan should work on affordable and prolonged projects rather than expensive ones. Also, wind energy along with solar and hydro energy should be considered for investment thorough which Pakistan can reduce its load shedding problems and it would be able to supply electricity to industrial sectors. We should be Thankful to Allah for all the capabilities that our country has and be sincere with it and help it and help it prosper and be competent with the other countries.
Long Live Pakistan!
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