NEED OF THE HOUR IS TO MAXIMIZE THE RENEWABLE ENERGY

RESOURCES IN PAKISTAN
Introduction
Renewable energy resources are the inexhaustible and replenished energy resources to be
promoted and encouraged in Pakistan. For, merely relying on the traditional energy resources are
more costly and insufficient to meet the demands. Although Pakistan is facing certain hurdles, yet
tangible measures should be taken to shift to renewable energy resources.

P1: Contextualization of Renewable Energy Scenario in Pakistan

1. Meaning of renewable energy resources
 Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a
higher rate than they are consumed. UN
 Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being
replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us. UN
2. Contemporary Energy Mix of Pakistan
 Pakistan relying of non-renewable energy resource: hydropower, fossil fuels,
petrol.
 Alarming situation of Pakistan with a shortage of 4000 megawatts (4000 MW) or
more than 50% of the total power generation capacity.
 According to the report published in 2018, Pakistan’s power sector caused a total
of $18 billion or 6.5% of the GDP loss to the economy in 2015.
3. Initiatives to boost renewable energy sector in Pakistan
 The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors in June 2021 approved a total
of $800 million in funding for two projects in Pakistan, namely the Pakistan
Program for Affordable and Clean Energy (PACE) and Securing Human
Investments to Foster Transformation (SHIFT).
 To expand renewable energy in Pakistan’s energy mix, the World Bank has
provided $100 million of financing to Sind Solar Energy Project to support
independent power producers develop 400 MW of new solar power projects and
provide partial grants to private sector firms for the commercial provision of Solar
Home Systems to 200,000 households.
 According to the Pakistan Economic Surveysix solar power projects totaling 430
MW initiated commercial operations and are now providing electricity to the grid.

4. Future prospects of shifting towards renewable energy resources

 Pakistan has tremendous potential to generate solar and wind power. According to
the World Bank, utilizing just 0.071 percent of the country’s area for solar
photovoltaic (solar PV) power generation would meet Pakistan’s current electricity
demand.
  Wind is also an abundant resource. Pakistan has several well-known wind corridors
and average wind speeds of 7.87 m/s in 10 percent of its windiest areas.

P2: The existing dire need of maximizing renewable energy resources in Pakistan
1. Deteriorating Energy crisis in Pakistan escalate the need of Renewable sources of
energy
 Today, only 55% of Pakistan’s population has access to electricity. The nation is
currently facing a 3 GW power supply shortage - the most severe energy crisis to
ever hit the country
 The occurrence of prolonged and frequent power outages has had a negative impact
on industry operation, the economy and the livelihood of citizens in general
 Currently, approximately 66% of power generation in Pakistan is derived from
fossil fuels (primarily oil and gas) followed by hydroelectricity (30%) and nuclear
energy (3%) (International Energy Agency 2007)
2. Renewable energy is much cheaper
 Renewables are the cheapest form of power today confirms a new report from the
International Renewable Energy Agency. Amid climbing fossil fuel prices,
investments in renewables in 2021 saves US$55 billion in global energy generation
costs in 2022.
3. Renewable energy resources are environmental friendly
 To get renewables on track with net zero by 2050, governments not only need to
address current policy and implementation challenges but also increase ambition
for all renewable energy uses,” says the IEA, adding it’s still important to focus on
cutting emissions elsewhere.
4. Inexhaustible nature of green resources make them better option
o Renewable energy sources like sunlight, wind, biomass are unexhausted and never
depleting
5. Shift toward renewable energy mix can reduce dependence on fossil fuels
 “Decarbonizing the energy mix will reduce the dependence on fossil fuel
imports and vulnerability to price fluctuations because of movement in exchange
rates. Rikard Liden, task team leader for the PACE program

P3: Tangible shift towards renewable energy resources leads to Prosper Pakistan
1. Renewable energy plays a crucial role to curb climate crisis
 Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels.
Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lion’s share of
emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis UN
2. Economy of Pakistan can be uplifted by encouraging renewable resources in Pakistan
  Expanding renewable energy can make electricity cheaper, reduce carbon
emissions, and help Pakistan save up to $5 billion over the next 20 years.
 “Pakistan is capable of producing and generating a lot of power by using solar
photovoltaic technology,” Syed Mujahid Shah, a senior electrical engineer at the
National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK), told WeaklthPK.
3. Green resources pave the way to Energy security and social welfare
 Pakistan can spur social and economic development with renewable energy while
increasing energy security and improving energy access, according to a new report
by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) prepared in co-operation
with the Government of Pakistan

P4: Prevailing Issues paint a bleak picture of Obstacles faced in shifting to Green energy
resources
1. Lack of investment hurdles the way of shifting to renewable resources in Pakistan
 Instability in the northwest, where most of Pakistan’s renewable energy potential is
located, has hindered investment in the sector
 The country has abundant solar and wind resources but needs more transmission
capacity to move these resources to market. Additionally, the Pakistani government
is often reluctant to invest in renewable energy due to concerns about grid
reliability
2. High upfront costs of installation discourages the use of Solar Panels
 Solar panels generate “free” electricity, but installing a solar energy system
still costs money. The average home solar system costs $16,715 after the
federal tax credit in 2023.
 It's worth it if the loan payments for your solar panels are cheaper than your
existing electricity bill.
3. Political instability is a challenge in unleashing the benefits of renewable energy
resources
 Political instability in Pakistan has shattered the normal course of the country
greatly.
4. Acute lack of infrastructure for green resources is a barrier to renewable energy
development
 Wind and solar energy are better investments when considering lifespan costs.
However, infrastructure is a barrier to renewable energy development, as it is
mainly built for fossil fuel and nuclear plants.
 According to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority's (NEPRA) 2021
yearly report, Pakistan's total installed power generation capacity is 39772 MW, of
which 63% of energy comes from thermal (fossil fuels), 25% from hydro, and 5.4%
from renewable (wind, solar and biomass) and 6.5% from nuclear..
P5: Unveiling the Way forwards to Encourage Green Resources

1. Setting a target for renewable energy development

 Solar and wind power should be urgently expanded to at least 30 percent of

Pakistan’s total electricity generation capacity by 2030, equivalent to around
24,000 Megawatts. World bank
 According to a study by global consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY), Pakistan
has the potential to become one of the world’s leading renewable energy
markets with an annual installed capacity of 275 gigawatts (GW). These
figures represent an estimated increase of 134% from 2017 levels.

2. Encouraging renewable energy zoning and competitive procurement to reduce

overall system costs

 “Pakistan is rich in renewable energy potential, and can with this assessment
develop policies, investment opportunities and energy development actions to
harness it,” said Abid Sher Ali
 To stay on target for 2050, global renewable energy capacity needs to be 80%
higher than the current rate of growth by 2026, says the IEA

3. Involving the private sector in the development of transmission infrastructure to

enhance the grid

 Pakistan’s Minister of State for Power. “Critical to this report has been IRENA’s
valuable policy guidance and technical assistance to determine our best available
renewable-based power options,” continued Minister Ali
 To get renewables on track with net zero by 2050, governments not only need to
address current policy and implementation challenges but also increase ambition
for all renewable energy uses,” IEA

4. Pakistan should invest in Solar Energy which is its primary strength

 Pakistan is one of the most solar-rich countries in the world. It has ample sunlight
and good weather conditions to generate solar energy.
 According to a study by global consulting firm Ernst & Young (EY), Pakistan has
the potential to become one of the world’s leading renewable energy markets with
an annual installed capacity of 275 gigawatts (GW). These figures represent an
estimated increase of 134% from 2017 levels.

Conclusion
“The future of renewable energy is fundamentally a choice. All of the resources and technologies
are there, but legislators and governments have to choose a renewables path.” – Martin Hullin