Pakistan’s coal reserves are estimated to be worth $43
billion, while natural gas accounts for another $30 billion in assets. The
country also has an abundance of precious metals and other natural resources,
including gold and copper. In 2014, the government recognized the need to
diversify its energy sources, leading it to establish renewable energy targets
through the Pakistan National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP). As part of
this plan, the government wants to increase the share of renewable energy in
its overall energy mix from 0.3% in 2013 to 7% by 2030.
Short-term renewable energy potential
Pakistan has significant potential for the development of
renewable energy, especially solar and wind resources. The country’s energy
demand is growing rapidly, while its energy mix is still heavily reliant on
fossil fuels. The government has set ambitious targets for the development of
renewable energy, but these will be challenging to achieve given the current
state of the economy and infrastructure. In the short term, Pakistan should
focus on developing its solar and wind resources, as well as increasing energy
efficiency. However, medium-term initiatives are necessary to develop
sustainable biomass and biogas projects. Over the long-term, geothermal power
can help reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported oil and gas by providing a
reliable baseload power supply for rural areas. Achieving this goal will
require additional investment in research and exploration work.
Achieving the government's renewable energy goals for 2020
will not be easy given that about half of Pakistani households have no access
to electricity. Even where there is electricity, it is often unreliable or expensive
due to an aging grid which relies mainly on coal-fired plants from Punjab
Province's controversial Thar coalfields.
Pakistan also lacks technical expertise and experience in
building renewable energy plants due to limited capacity building programmes
over recent decades - although several international organisations have been
active in the country since 2011 with technical assistance in renewable energy
fieldwork such as mapping solar irradiation levels across different parts of
Pakistan.
Can renewable energies address acute power shortages?
Pakistan is facing an acute energy crisis. The government
has been trying to cope with the issue by turning to renewable energy sources.
Can renewable energies address the country's power shortages?
There are opportunities for renewable energy development in
Pakistan. The country has high potential for solar, wind, and hydropower.
However, there are also challenges that need to be addressed. The main
challenge is the lack of investment in the renewable energy sector. The
government needs to provide incentives for investors and create a more
favorable investment climate. Another challenge is access to credit. There are
currently few lending institutions that offer financing for renewable energy
projects.
There is an urgent need for a comprehensive policy framework
in place. The current policies do not adequately regulate electricity tariffs
or promote competition between different types of power producers (coal,
hydroelectricity, nuclear).
Finally, there is insufficient regulation on environmental
impacts from renewable energy production.
Is the economic cost of short-term renewable projects viable?
Pakistan is a country with an energy crisis. The renewable
energy potential of Pakistan is estimated at 100 GW. Solar, wind, biomass, and
hydropower are the main sources of renewable energy in Pakistan. The economic
cost of short-term renewable projects is viable in Pakistan. The government has
taken steps to promote the use of renewable energy, but the lack of awareness
about renewable energy among the general public is a challenge. There are also
political and economic challenges that need to be addressed in order for
Pakistan to fully tap into its renewable energy potential. The majority of
renewable energy technologies have been imported from developed countries. In
addition, transmission and distribution lines have not been designed or built
to accommodate power from renewable energy sources. Therefore, it is difficult
for households or communities to generate their own electricity using solar
panels or microgrids because they do not have access to either power storage
facilities or grid connection infrastructure.
Maintaining adequate reserve capacity by investing in fossil
fuel plants will also pose a financial burden on the Pakistani economy as it
transitions away from coal-fired plants.
Further complications arise due to intermittent nature of
solar and wind resources which may make investment decisions even more risky
for investors due to limited availability of funds for financing these
renewables projects on commercial terms.
Risks for future development
Pakistan is a country with high potential for renewable
energy development. However, there are several risks that could impede future
progress in this area. There is an over-reliance on the natural gas reserves
found offshore in the Arabian Sea which must be imported from other countries
such as Qatar. The dependence on these resources also makes Pakistan vulnerable
to supply shocks and price fluctuations that can occur as a result of war or
global oil prices. To combat these challenges, steps need to be taken to
increase the level of renewable energy within the nation’s infrastructure by
building out transmission lines so they can transport electricity generated
from renewables to major population centers where it will be most needed while
also decreasing reliance on imported fossil fuels. In addition, more funding
needs to be directed towards solar technology research so innovative
technologies can continue being developed at an accelerated pace. It is
important that Pakistan not only relies on renewable energy sources but does so
in a way that helps to meet its own demands for power.
These actions would allow renewable energies to play a key
role in generating new growth and creating jobs in the economy. They would also
provide stability to the electric grid because renewables use less water than
traditional hydroelectric power plants, provide 24/7 availability (because
solar panels generate power even when it’s dark), and have low maintenance
costs (which will save money).
Renewable energies offer many benefits to developing nations
like Pakistan which are looking for ways to create economic growth without
increasing greenhouse gas emissions; however, if action isn't taken soon, this
opportunity may never present itself again.
How can renewable technologies be developed sustainably?
Pakistan has great potential for renewable energy, but there
are some challenges that need to be addressed in order to develop these
technologies sustainably. One challenge is the lack of awareness about
renewable energy among the general population. Another challenge is the high
cost of initial investment, which can be a barrier for small businesses and
households. There are also regulatory hurdles that need to be addressed, such
as the lack of a clear policy framework for renewable energy development. In
addition, the country’s electricity grid is not robust enough to accommodate
renewable sources of power on a large scale.
Another problem with renewable energy in Pakistan is that it
cannot generate enough power for 24 hours without relying on fossil fuels. The
country does not have enough hydroelectricity, so it relies mostly on
coal-powered plants during peak demand periods. In order to continue using
renewable sources of power on a large scale, other types of renewables will
need to be developed and put into place.
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