What does Pakistan’s Energy Mix look like?
Understanding the Energy Mix of Pakistan
Energy Mix of Pakistan |
Generally, energy resources are divided into
conventional and non-conventional or renewable resources. Conventional Resources are categorized into two types, Thermal Energy including coal, oil, natural
gas, and Nuclear Energy. The Non-conventional Resources can be solar, hydel,
wind, geothermal, and biomass. Pakistan’s two-thirds of the energy requirements
are fulfilled by thermal resources.
Primary Energy Consumption 2020 (IEP) |
Why Pakistan is still far behind the other developing
countries despite its potential for renewable energy production? Pakistan’s
energy mix is mainly 64% fossil fuels, 27% hydropower, and 9% other renewables
and nuclear power. Coal is an important form of fossil fuel with increasing consumption
in Pakistan. The share of coal in the energy mix has certainly increased in the
past few years due to the Chinese investment projects under CPEC. Whereas there
is a frequent lack of financial and technical resources to install and run
hydroelectric power plants. There is an emphasis on clean and safe energy for
use and environmental protection, for this the use of coal has to be reduced with
a shift towards hydel and solar energy. Technological innovations have improved
energy efficiency with decreased costs and affordable usage.
Pakistan’s energy mix is in shambles. The country has
consistently lagged behind other countries in terms of its renewable energy
generation, with only 2% of its electricity coming from renewable sources. This
is large because Pakistan has historically relied on fossil fuels and imported
gas to meet its energy needs. Due to these factors, Pakistan has one of the
highest CO2 emissions in the world. It is well documented that CO2 emissions
are directly linked to climate change and therefore pose an urgent threat to
global warming. However, there are other factors at play too such as
deforestation and soil degradation which further contribute towards global warming
by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere; this has led to increased
flooding in certain regions across Pakistan. For example, last year’s floods
affected over 60 million people throughout Pakistan and caused extensive
damage; this was largely attributed to climatic events like these events
occurring more frequently because of changing weather patterns due to global
warming.
Pakistan must urgently reassess its current energy mix
and devise an energy policy based on a cost-benefit ratio as well as
sustainability and optimal utilization. In the short run where Pakistan faces
acute electricity deficiency, new hydro projects cannot be expected to meet the
deficit. In the long term, there is a need to enhance investment in hydropower
generation as there continues to be a risk of shortage of dependence on fossil
fuel continues. The fact is that to suit the needs of Pakistan there needs to
be an extensive expansion of the available energy sources. The energy mix of
Pakistan needs to be more than just gas, oil, hydel and solar.
Best Regards,
Areeba Abid, Haider Tanoli, Irfan Haider, Talha Khaliq
P.S. You can send us your suggestions and queries at: areebaabid17@gmail.com
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