Energies Crisis and Pakistan

Pakistan’s energy infrastructure is not well developed, rather it is considered to be underdeveloped and poorly managed. Rapid demand growth, transmission losses due to outdated infrastructure, power theft, and seasonal reductions in the availability of hydropower have worsened the situation. Consequently, the demand exceeds supply and hence loadshedding is a common phenomenon in all cities. Energy crisis in Pakistan started in 2007 and in 2008 it took a serious turn. During 2009-10, energy supply and per capita availability of energy witnessed a decline of 0.64 per cent and 3.09 per cent respectively in comparison to previous year.

Pakistan needs around 15,000 to 20000 MW electricity per day, however, currently it is producing about 11,500 MW per day hence there is a shortfall of about 4000 to 9000 MW per day. The power companies’ circular debt is a big issue which has risen to Rs 230 billion. Line losses, mainly theft, alone contributed Rs 125 billion to circular debt. It is better for the government to focus on curtailing power theft. Mere power tariff raise would not revive the power sector, as numerous hikes in the past have not resolved the chronic problems of circular debt and power theft.

Pakistan’s energy consumption is met by mix of gas, oil, electricity, coal and LPG sources with different level of shares. Share of gas consumption stood at 43.7 per cent, followed by oil 29.0 per cent, electricity 15.3 per cent, coal 10.4 per cent and LPG 1.5 per cent. Guddu plant is largest thermal operated plant with a capacity of 1,650 MW, while two largest Independent Power Plants (IPPs) are: Kot Addu (1,600 MW) and Hubb River (1,300 MW).

In 1994 during the Benazir’s government the IPPs projects were bitterly opposed, blaming the government of taking commissions in these projects. However, no one had any idea how to solve the electricity problems. The situation went complicated when the civil-military bureaucracy didn’t allow Nawaz government to export surplus power to India because trading with the enemy on the basis of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status was not acceptable to them. Now the circumstances have changed and we are ready to import electricity from India by granting them the same MFN status.

Hydro power is generated by using electricity generators to extract energy from moving water. Pakistan is having rich resource of energy in hydel power; however, only 34 per cent of total electricity generation is coming from this power. Currently we are having 6555 MW against the potential of 41000 to 45000 MW. Current hydropower stations are: Tarbella Dam: 3,478 MW; Ghazi Brotha: 1450 MW; Mangla 1,000 MW; Warsak 240 MW and Chashma 184 MW. Potential hydropower stations are: Diamer-Bhasha Dam 4500 MW; Munda Dam’ Swat River in Mohmand Agency 740 MW; Kalabagh Dam 2400-3600 MW; Bunji Dam 5400 MW and Dasu Dam 3800 MW

Alternative sources of energy: Wind power harnesses the power of the wind to propel the blades of wind turbines. These turbines cause the rotation of magnets, which creates electricity. Though Pakistan has potentials of wind energy ranging from 10000 MW to 50000 MW, yet power generation through wind is at the initial stages and currently 06 MW has been installed in first phase in Jhampir through a Turkish company and 50 MW will be installed shortly. More wind power plants will be built in Jhampir, Gharo, Keti Bandar and Bin Qasim Karachi.

Biomass production involves using garbage or other renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn or other vegetation to generate electricity. When garbage decomposes, methane is produced and captured in pipes and later burned to produce electricity. Vegetation and wood can be burned directly to generate energy, like fossil fuels, or processed to form alcohols. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programmes from biomass/biodiesel in the world, followed by the US. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Pakistan has planned to generate 10 MW of electricity from municipal waste in Karachi followed by similar projects in 20 other cities.

Nuclear power stations use nuclear fission reaction to generate energy by the reaction of uranium inside a nuclear reactor. Pakistan has a small nuclear power programme, with 425 MW capacity, but there are plans to increase this capacity substantially. Since Pakistan is outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it is excluded from trade in nuclear plant or materials, which hinders its development of civil nuclear energy. Remaining issues in development of nuclear energy are enrichment of uranium from U235 to U238, controlling chain reaction and dumping of solid waste.

Pakistan has had wider potentials to tap energy, however, due to lack of any integrated/proactive planning, very less number of power producing plant were installed to meet demand. Resultantly, over the years, the gap between energy demand and supply drastically grew and now against demand of 20000 MW, we are having around 11500 MW.

Energy mix in Pakistan is quite imbalance in comparison to other countries, with greater reliance on non-renewable resources of gas Solar power involves using solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity, using sunlight hitting solar thermal panels to convert sunlight to heat water or air. Pakistan has the potential of more than 100,000 MW from solar energy. Building of solar power plants is underway in Azad Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. However, private vendors are importing panels/solar water heaters for consumption in the market. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) is working for 20,000 solar water heaters in Gilgit Baltistan. Mobile companies have been asked by the government to shift supply of energy to their transmission towers from petroleum to solar energy panels.

Biomass production involves using garbage or other renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn or other vegetation to generate electricity. When garbage decomposes, methane is produced and captured in pipes and later burned to produce electricity. Vegetation and wood can be burned directly to generate energy, like fossil fuels, or processed to form alcohols. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programmes from biomass/biodiesel in the world, followed by the US. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Pakistan has planned to generate 10 MW of electricity from municipal waste in Karachi followed by similar projects in 20 other cities.

Energy mix in Pakistan is quite imbalance in comparison to other countries, with greater reliance on non-renewable resources of gas awareness campaign for energy saving; reduction in unnecessary transportations by developing good public transport systems and strengthening Pakistan railways; reduction in industrial uses with installation of effective equipment/ energy efficient and with increasing efficiency of workforce (cost effective); decreasing reliance on rental power projects, because instead of doing any good, they are increasing prices of electricity. Decreasing line losses by using efficient power transmission cables; developing new energy resources. Tapping indigenous resources (Thar coal). Using renewable resources (water) by constructing new dams and hydro power plants

Import of natural gas by Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) and Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) pipelines. Import of electricity from Tajikistan ‘through Pak-Afghan-Tajikistan transmission’ and Iran (approximately 1000 MW from each of them) are better options to overcome energy crisis. The much-trumpeted projects for gas import by successive governments namely the IPI, as well as the TAPI and Qatar transnational gas pipelines, as well as Mashal LNG, continue to be a victim of missed opportunities, delayed decision making, flawed strategy and incorrect planning and project development.