Pakistan is one of the worst affected by climate change. Floods have devastated agriculture lands. Forest cover has been reduced by 63.2h in the northern areas. Since the area is devoid of natural gas, forest wood is used as fuel for lighting, heating, and cooking. But could such destruction have been averted? Yes, indeed.
Almost seven years after the formation of Alternative Energy Development Board in 2003, the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Act was passed in 2010, with one of its functions being “to facilitate energy generation through alternate and renewable energy means”. The government set more ambitious targets in the recently formulated Alternative and Renewable Energy policy in 2019 that envisions to have 20% of the generation capacity from ARE technologies by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
The Economic Survey of Pakistan for 2020-21 indicates a reduction in the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 2.23% from 2.41% in 2020. Clearly, there are more than mere ambitions that are needed to turn the wheel.
Adopting the ARE technologies is not an option but a necessity in Pakistan. The use of renewable energy is one action that contributes to at least five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving SDGs is now a local compulsion than an international binding.
Domestic and small-scale solar systems can go a long way in addressing the climate change concerns of Pakistan. The world recognizes that climate change and fossil fuel burning form a vicious circle. In Pakistan, it has multifarious effects, climate change has led to earlier and faster melting of glaciers, increased temperatures have led to greater air-conditioning requirements, and hence higher power generation through thermal power plants. In the absence of any alternative for cooking and heating, deforestation is facilitated which has given further rise to warmer weather.
Essentially, Pakistan is sawing off the branch it is sitting on. It's high time that we put an end to deforestation and provide renewable energy alternatives. Deforestation facilitates land sliding and flash flooding. So, the provision of an alternative to wood burning for daily energy requirements would help the government and people in the fight against climate change. Not only solar but small wind projects can go a long way in addressing the energy needs of these non-grid connected population centres.
Small solar systems can easily support domestic heating, lighting and cooking. The capital is experiencing almost 3 to 4 hours of power shutdowns despite over-the-capacity power generation from IPPs.
The government has announced mega solar projects of 10,000 MWs, however, solar panels have become difficult to import. The US dollar is facing a crunch ever since the economic crisis. A limit was imposed on imported items. The solar system equipment is lying on ports. Resultantly, solar system companies and installers are bearing the brunt. The solar projects under installation or in pipeline are in doldrums.
Another important thing that needs the government’s attention is a well-thought-out policy rather than the rhetoric of mega projects aimed at bringing greater visibility of performance. In this context, tapping all sorts of available renewable energy resources is necessary.
While mega projects impact the energy sector, they require high investment and longer construction time. Smaller systems can have far-reaching effects on overall power generation and consumption without fearing for climate change. The wastage and theft issues of the existing transmission system is enough reason for advocating small renewable energy technologies be it solar, wind, hydro, or any other.
The glaring ineptness of the concerned authorities in negotiating a fair deal from the international suppliers for the public good strengthens the perception that the power generated by mega solar projects would also be expensive for obvious reasons.
The government has been financing a multitude of organisations and institutes pertaining to energy for more than half a century. But no solar panel or micro wind turbine has so far been developed in Pakistan.
A need, therefore, exists like never before for a coordinated effort for local production of solar panels and wind and hydro turbines.
Almost seven years after the formation of Alternative Energy Development Board in 2003, the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Act was passed in 2010, with one of its functions being “to facilitate energy generation through alternate and renewable energy means”. The government set more ambitious targets in the recently formulated Alternative and Renewable Energy policy in 2019 that envisions to have 20% of the generation capacity from ARE technologies by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
The Economic Survey of Pakistan for 2020-21 indicates a reduction in the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 2.23% from 2.41% in 2020. Clearly, there are more than mere ambitions that are needed to turn the wheel.
Adopting the ARE technologies is not an option but a necessity in Pakistan. The use of renewable energy is one action that contributes to at least five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving SDGs is now a local compulsion than an international binding.
Another important thing that needs the government’s attention is a well-thought-out policy rather than the rhetoric of mega projects aimed at bringing greater visibility of performance. In this context, tapping all sorts of available renewable energy resources is necessary.
Domestic and small-scale solar systems can go a long way in addressing the climate change concerns of Pakistan. The world recognizes that climate change and fossil fuel burning form a vicious circle. In Pakistan, it has multifarious effects, climate change has led to earlier and faster melting of glaciers, increased temperatures have led to greater air-conditioning requirements, and hence higher power generation through thermal power plants. In the absence of any alternative for cooking and heating, deforestation is facilitated which has given further rise to warmer weather.
Essentially, Pakistan is sawing off the branch it is sitting on. It's high time that we put an end to deforestation and provide renewable energy alternatives. Deforestation facilitates land sliding and flash flooding. So, the provision of an alternative to wood burning for daily energy requirements would help the government and people in the fight against climate change. Not only solar but small wind projects can go a long way in addressing the energy needs of these non-grid connected population centres.
Small solar systems can easily support domestic heating, lighting and cooking. The capital is experiencing almost 3 to 4 hours of power shutdowns despite over-the-capacity power generation from IPPs.
The government has announced mega solar projects of 10,000 MWs, however, solar panels have become difficult to import. The US dollar is facing a crunch ever since the economic crisis. A limit was imposed on imported items. The solar system equipment is lying on ports. Resultantly, solar system companies and installers are bearing the brunt. The solar projects under installation or in pipeline are in doldrums.
Another important thing that needs the government’s attention is a well-thought-out policy rather than the rhetoric of mega projects aimed at bringing greater visibility of performance. In this context, tapping all sorts of available renewable energy resources is necessary.
While mega projects impact the energy sector, they require high investment and longer construction time. Smaller systems can have far-reaching effects on overall power generation and consumption without fearing for climate change. The wastage and theft issues of the existing transmission system is enough reason for advocating small renewable energy technologies be it solar, wind, hydro, or any other.
The glaring ineptness of the concerned authorities in negotiating a fair deal from the international suppliers for the public good strengthens the perception that the power generated by mega solar projects would also be expensive for obvious reasons.
The government has been financing a multitude of organisations and institutes pertaining to energy for more than half a century. But no solar panel or micro wind turbine has so far been developed in Pakistan.
A need, therefore, exists like never before for a coordinated effort for local production of solar panels and wind and hydro turbines.