Renewable energy deployment to combat energy crisis in Pakistan

Abstract

The huge deficiency of electricity due to heavy reliance on imported fuels has become a significant impediment to socio-economic development in Pakistan. This scenario creates an increase in local fuel prices and limits potentials in the establishment of new industrial zones. The current gap between the demand and production of electricity in Pakistan is approximately 5000-8000 MW with a constant increase of 6-8 % per annum. Hence, more sustainable and renewable energy sources are required to overcome the existing problem. Pakistan is endowed with potential renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. These resources have the capacity to be major contributors to future energy production matrix, climate change reduction efforts, and the sustainable energy development of the country. This article reviews the availability of alternative energy resources in Pakistan and associated potentials for full-scale development of sustainable energy systems. It also discusses exploitation strategies to increase the distribution of indigenous energy resources.

Review of distributed generation (DG) system planning and optimisation techniques: Comparison of numerical and mathematical modelling methods

“…In particular, the potential of harnessing renewable resources i.e. biomass, solar, wind and hydro power generations was verified for overcoming energy shortage crisis in Nigeria [45], Pakistan [46], South Africa [47], India, China [48], Lebanon [49], Poland [50], Korea [51] and Brazil [44].…”

Economic Impact Assessment of Mini Micro Hydel Power Projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

“…The country has been able to achieve 80% electrification for the last twenty years and the energy consumption in TOE has reached 79 million in comparison to the 34 million TOE in 1994-95 but the overall makeup of the energy mix and the non-availability of much of the generation potential has pushed the country towards the incessant load shedding which severely disrupts the everyday lives and economic activities of the country [5]. Moreover the abundance of renewable energy potential in the country also make it an obvious low cost tool for handling the energy shortage and price hike [6]. The potential of the country as shown in the table below gives ample opportunity for cheap energy generation at the doorsteps of the consumers to bypass the transmission and distribution charges over larger distances [7].…”

Off-Grid Solar PV Power Generation System in Sindh, Pakistan: A Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis

“…The country's total power demand is 25,000 Megawatts (MW) and this is estimated to be boosted up 40,000 MW by 2030 [3]. Whereas, the electricity supply remains around 17,000 MW, causing an electricity shortage of 8000 MW in the country [4]. In the results, the electricity shortfalls in both urban and rural areas around 12 to 18 h a day [5].…”