Solution for energy crisis in Pakistan

The energy crisis has worsened the economy of Pakistan and continues to pull down the GDP growth rate. The future of the country appears bleak.

According to WAPDA’s chairman, Shakeel Ahmed Durrani, the power shortage is expected to last until 2018, given the increase in demand. The government of Pakistan looks for solutions amidst expensive oil generators and gas based projects. As a result, the fuel rates keep on soaring as well as adding extra burden the country’s limited gas supply. The solution is not so complicated.

Pakistan can find power using wind and solar energy. Many countries are already using alternate energy sources to generate electricity. 73 percent of Spain’s electricity comes from solar and wind energy. Wind energy is believed to be the most immediate solution for a frail economy like Pakistan.

The coastlines of Pakistan, Karachi and Gwadar, have a great potential for generating wind energy. Pakistan’s power deficit is said to be around 4500 MW so far, and climbing. Using wind energy, about 7000 to 10,000 MW of electricity can be generated.

Producing electricity using wind is no rocket science. In order to produce the electricity from wind, Pakistan need wind turbines, the security of the turbines, transmission of lines to link with the national grid, capital cost of the project and maintenance of the project.

Internationally the cost of 5 MW wind turbine is estimated to be around 5 million dollars. Wind turbines have a long life and can last for 50 years. Except for maintenance costs, wind turbines do not require running cost like fuel etc. With minimum running costs, electricity can be procured at much lower prices.

The government of Pakistan must take immediate steps towards the solution of this energy crisis in Pakistan. If a solution is not devised soon, the country is likely to face a shortage of 20,000 MW within 10 years.

The increase in power deficit might lead to completely shutting the industries, resulting in further dampening the GDP of Pakistan. Wind energy is an immediate and cheap solution to the current power crisis in the country.

The government should take the power crises seriously and give the same priority in solving the energy crisis as it once gave its nuclear program.

Posted by Nabeel Salam on Oct 20 2011. Filed under Opinion, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry