thesis statement on energy crisis in pakistan

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Home → Articles → Energy Crisis in Pakistan and Its Solution (Updated)

Written by Maryam Ibrahim and Izza Ikram • August 23, 2022 • 6:01 pm • Articles , Current Affairs , Pakistan , Published Content

Energy Crisis in Pakistan and Its Solution (Updated)

Maryam Ibrahim has recently graduated from Lahore College for Women University with a bachelor's in international relations. Her sphere of interest includes the digitalization of international relations, specifically digital diplomacy.

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• Maryam Ibrahim https://www.paradigmshift.com.pk/author/maryam-ibrahim/ The Leaks in the Nord Stream Pipelines: Who's to Blame?

Izza Ikram is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in governance and public policy from National Defence University, Islamabad. She talks about public policy, climate change, and entrepreneurship.

Energy Security

The life and processes that take place across the whole world depend on energy. It’s similar to how the Earth may be powered. Since many production and consumption activities need energy as their primary input, it is highly important for the growth and economic development of a country in its growing stage. According to authors like Barney and Franzi , energy accounts for less than one-tenth of production costs while driving nearly half of industrial development in the modern economy. However, where there is energy, there is also a crisis.

What is it that affects everybody’s life yet cannot be touched directly? It’s natural gas. It heats our homes and drives our economy. And when there is a depletion, it has a kind of worldwide butterfly effect. The energy crisis is the shortfall or the interruption to the provision of energy supplies. It can be surprising for you to know that developed countries like China and Japan are also energy insecure . Yes, the 2nd largest and the 3rd largest economies of the world, respectively, are not secure as far as their energy needs and production are concerned.

This is because energy insecurity is defined based on whether a country is self-producing the energy for its requirements, whether it imports the energy to meet its requirements, or whether it is an exporter of the energy to other countries. Along these lines, energy security for a self-producing country can be defined as having available, accessible, and affordable energy at all times .

Similarly, if it is an exporter, then the country’s energy security depends on its ability to keep the supply-demand high and global energy resources under its control. If it is an importer, then it must keep the energy prices and global energy markets under its influence as well as strive to keep its balance of payments positive.

Pakistan’s Energy Crisis

As of right now, the world is facing a shortage of energy and it has sent shock waves from Europe to Asia. And Pakistan is no exception. The energy industry in Pakistan is in crisis, due to a lack of energy output to keep up with the country’s rising demand during the past few decades. Pakistan is now reliant on imported energy resources like gas and oil.

The Asian Development Bank published a white paper in 2019 claiming that Pakistan is an energy-insecure country. Besides Pakistan, there are numerous countries worldwide including the developed ones that are also energy insecure. There are several examples of market growth followed by a downturn and severe contraction since the energy industry is, by nature, in a loop, but the current crises are different in several aspects.

The recent increase in energy costs has given us a glimpse into the future, where market disruptions might result if the transition to low-carbon energy sources is not adequately managed or stressed. According to Shazia Anwar Cheema , Pakistan might face an extremely challenging and disastrous winter as a result of the lack of long-term energy management strategies by policymakers.

The crisis is likely to worsen due to the Middle Eastern countries, which serve as the major source of imports, being severely impacted by the strain that Europe is experiencing as a result of the fuel and gas shortfall. The current bleak situation shows that the power shortfall at the moment is about 7,500 megawatts which subsequently results in 10-18 hours of load-shedding. This means the current supply is about 18,000 megawatts and the required supply is 25,000-25,500MW. Furthermore, Pakistan’s energy cost doubled in the last 9 months; it now stands at 15 billion USD.

Energy Profile of Pakistan

The Government of Pakistan has unveiled a number of initiatives to facilitate the public’s access to energy, spur economic expansion, and find a solution to the energy issue. The initiatives include:

• The National Power Policy 2013

The policy aimed to develop a power production, transmission, and distribution system that was effective and could fulfill the requirements of the populace while boosting the economy of the nation in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

• Power Generation Policy 2015

The fundamental goal of the policy was to have enough cheapest available power production capacity while emphasizing the use of domestic resources, enabling all parties engaged in the trade, and protecting the environment.

• Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019

The major objective of the 2019 policy was to encourage and support the nation’s development of renewable resources.

To satisfy the nation’s needs, Pakistan produces a very small fraction of its total oil output. The production of domestic oil is restricted by technical, budgetary, and technological limitations. According to the most recent figures, the cost of oil imports surged from July through April of FY2022 from US$8.69 billion to US$17.03 billion, a 95.9% rise.

Oil is becoming more costly due to rising global oil prices and the severe devaluation of the Pakistani rupee, which is putting pressure on the country’s external sector and worsening its trade imbalance. Similarly, between July and April of FY2022, imports of LNG (liquefied natural gas) increased by 82.90 % in value, while imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) increased by 39.86%.

Pakistan is also using nuclear technology to produce electricity, and its share is rapidly growing. During the period of July–March FY2022, the gross capacity of nuclear power plants rose by 39% to 3,530 MW, delivering 12,885 million units of energy to the national grid.

If we see the consumption of electricity by different sectors throughout Pakistan, it is divided into various areas like domestic, commercial, industry, etc.

Reasons for the Looming Energy Crisis in Pakistan

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has caused fuel prices to soar, endangering the supply chain and making it challenging for Pakistan to support the effective operation of its power plant. Long-term LNG suppliers canceled several shipments scheduled for delivery over the last few months, further tightening supplies, which has directly resulted in complications for Pakistan.

The ever-changing leadership and political turmoil and an unwillingness to address the problem and devise a solution have further aggravated the energy crisis in Pakistan. Governments, political parties, and other interest groups continue to interfere with business decisions like employing and disconnecting default customers. In the meantime, the utility firms disavow all liability and accuse the management authorities of wrongdoing.

There is an absence of coordination that prevents the implementation of any kind of comprehensive or integrated energy policy that may support Pakistan’s struggling economy and energy industry. Moreover, at a staggering 2.5 trillion Pakistani rupees, the circular debt is 10% more than it was in the previous fiscal year. By 2025, it is anticipated to reach 4 trillion Pakistani rupees, according to studies.

Reportedly, Rs. 1.5 trillion is owed by Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd (SSGCL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd. (SNGPL) to the Oil & Gas Development Company Ltd. (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Ltd. (PPL)—the mainstay of oil and gas exploration and production in Pakistan. This low-cost domestic energy source costs less than half as much as imported LNG, which Pakistan is using more of.

Due to the severe financial load, this is putting on our meager foreign exchange reserves, OGDCL, and PPL are unable to expand into new markets since their revenue is caught in a vicious circle of debt. The lack of new investment in exploratory initiatives in the aftermath of declining oil and gas reserves is concerning and does not bode well for the nation.

Apart from the aforementioned reasons, other contributing factors include:

• Decreasing gas supply and dependence on oil
• Unrealistic power tariffs (low investments)
• Low payment recovery
• Inefficient revenue collection
• Overpopulation, over usage

Impact of Energy Crisis on Pakistan

The industrial sector has also been severely damaged by the energy crisis. The manufacturing processes of several major and small-scale industries have been stifled by it. Due to the continuous energy constraint, the supply of gas and electricity to the industry was shut off. The South Asian country is experiencing a severe economic crisis, with energy imports being hampered by rampant inflation, a depreciating rupee, and shrinking foreign exchange reserves.

Textiles are the industry most impacted. According to government statistics, the home sector’s demand for energy has increased this season as a result of the heatwave, resulting in a shortage of almost 7,000 megawatts—or one-fifth of Pakistan’s generation capacity—on several days this month.

Pakistan’s important textile sector , which sells everything from denim to bed linen to markets in the US and Europe and makes up 60% of the nation’s exports, has been negatively impacted by the electricity deficit. According to Qasim Malik, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce in Sialkot, “the textile sector is in a situation of emergency.”

What’s the Way Forward ?

Pakistan, like China and Japan, also generates its power from imported fossil fuels out of which 48% is natural gas and 33% is oil . Now the question is, what is the solution to the energy crisis in Pakistan? What measures shall Pakistan take as a result of which it could become an energy-secure country? All over the world, especially in Europe, there is a clean energy revolution in full swing.

A massive wave of transformation into alternative and renewable energy from conventional energy production methods by the year 2030 is underway. The national policies have been approved and now implementation has started. Denmark is one of the unique countries that have taken itself to a highly ambitious target of shifting to 100% renewable energy resources by the year 2050 .

So, in these fast-changing global energy trends, there are numerous opportunities for Pakistan to find a solution to its energy crisis. Following are the recommendations for adopting practical ways toward renewable energy in Pakistan .

Research and Development

First of all, like other states, Pakistan needs to impose proper rules and regulations regarding the operating hours of industries. Our think tanks and research centers should publish research articles and policy papers that are Pakistan-centric containing “robust implementation mechanisms” considering the local challenges. Pakistan needs to combine all the energy-related institutions’ needs under a single ministry, which will create efficiency in the dysfunctional energy sector and the whole sector will be streamlined.

Entrepreneurial Solutions

For Pakistan’s energy sector to be supported, it requires reliable funding and tax reforms. Then Pakistani entrepreneurs have a golden chance to come up with clever ideas to tackle the energy insecurity problem of Pakistan. They should mobilize land, labor, and capital based on the research by policy experts to invest in the manufacturing of green technologies that will be used locally as well as internationally.

The government of Pakistan is soon coming up with a National Innovation Fund of Rs. 100 Billion, according to unofficial sources of the Planning Commission of Pakistan. The Innovation Fund will aim to provide financial subsistence to innovative entrepreneurial ideas that can contribute to the economic improvement of Pakistan. So, young graduates and businesses have a great opportunity to create and pitch for green technology.

Investing in the Renewable Energy Industry

Similarly, it is a golden chance for local and overseas investors to invest in Pakistan’s renewable energy program for which the government of Pakistan has given an Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy in 2019. The document is the updated version of the RE Policy for Development of Power Generation 2006. Moreover, importing clean coal, which is frequently less expensive than imported oil and gas, will allow Pakistan to diversify its energy mix.

To reduce its dependency on conventional energy sources, Pakistan needs to decrease the demand for the grid station. It can do so by converting small-scale companies to solar energy and making them self-sufficient. In order to reduce their reliance on the national grid, other sources like the use of windmills have to be taken into account.

Public-Private Partnership

The public sector of Pakistan must make renewable energy a priority. The government of Pakistan should collaborate with countries like China that are technologically advanced and use this as an opportunity to improve bilateral relationships with them. Another solution would be for the government to subsidize the renewable energy industry and promote public-private cooperation to bring Pakistan out of the energy crisis.

Governance on Kunda System (Electricity Theft)

The Kunda system entails the unauthorized or illegal connection of wires to power lines, bypassing meters to avoid bill payment. This practice is widespread in Pakistan, causing a loss of Rs90 billion in the last five years due to electricity theft and line losses . The government should implement comprehensive reforms in the energy sector to enhance transparency, governance, performance, and accountability. Stricter enforcement is necessary to curb this detrimental trend.

The Energy Crisis Situation in 2023

In January 2023, Pakistan experienced a nationwide blackout for almost a day due to a voltage surge at a power station in Sindh. This problem is becoming more common because the aging electricity grid, built before Pakistan’s independence in 1947 and mainly in the 1960s, lacks maintenance and investment. Electricity costs have surged, now standing at approximately 50 rupees (12p) per kilowatt, while petrol prices have dramatically risen from 262 rupees per liter in June to 331 rupees in September.

The country is grappling with widespread protests against these soaring energy prices, with thousands of people taking to the streets, even resorting to burning their electricity bills in frustration. Pakistan is currently embroiled in a challenging period of political and economic instability, marked by a record-breaking inflation rate of 36.4%.

The government has taken a number of steps to try to reduce the circular debt, but it remains a major problem. The increase in circular debt from Rs160 billion in 2008 to Rs2,377 billion in 2023 is a sign that the problem is getting worse, not better. According to the statement from Human Rights Watch Report , the IMF and the Pakistani government should evaluate adjustment impacts thoroughly.

Prior to subsidy removal, there should have been the implementation of a comprehensive reform plan to ease price hikes and facilitate the transition to sustainable energy. The IMF’s article , released on July 12th, mentioned that the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a 9-month Stand-By Arrangement (SBA), a short-term aid for countries with balance of payment issues, for Pakistan for an amount of SDR2,250 million (about $3 billion, or 111 percent of quota) to support the authorities’ economic stabilization program.

The world is changing rapidly. Every process is automated to save time and simultaneously speed up the production mechanisms. Without energy security, keeping up with the world will not be possible. If we strive to become competent and develop Pakistan as a modern country, we must adopt renewable energy methods to supplement our energy needs.

Due to the dynamics of the global economy, it may seem that in the near future, Pakistan will not experience a drop in the energy issue. However, it is the responsibility of the political leaders and the stakeholders of Pakistan to minimize this energy crisis and find a solution to it. It’s important to keep in mind that being optimistic will help you manage any degree of crisis. We all should do what’s in our control to strengthen our country on all fronts.

If you want to submit your articles and/or research papers, please check the  Submissions  page.

The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Paradigm Shift .

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Energy Crisis in Pakistan: Causes, Effects, and Possible Solutions

Introduction

• Definition of energy crisis
• Importance of energy for economic growth
• Background of energy crisis in Pakistan
• Thesis statement

2. Exposition

• Energy demand and supply gap in Pakistan
• Power sector inefficiencies and circular debt
• Dependence on imported oil and gas
• Insufficient investment in renewable energy sources
• Inadequate energy infrastructure and transmission losses

3. Argumentation

• Effects of energy crisis on Pakistan’s economy and society
• Industries and agriculture
• Household electricity and gas bills
• Health and education
• Political and security implications of energy crisis
• Dependence on foreign aid and loans
• Rise of extremism and terrorism
• Possible solutions to energy crisis in Pakistan
• Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures
• Exploration and development of indigenous oil, gas, and coal reserves
• Improvement of energy infrastructure and transmission lines
• Addressing circular debt and power sector reforms

4. Description

• Overview of Pakistan’s energy mix
• Potential of renewable energy sources in Pakistan
• Challenges and opportunities in the development of renewable energy
• Technical and financial support from international organizations and donor countries

5. Narration

• Success stories of renewable energy projects in Pakistan
• Solar and wind power projects in Sindh and Punjab
• Biogas plants in rural areas
• Impact of renewable energy on local communities and environment
• Future prospects of renewable energy in Pakistan

6. Conclusion

Pakistan is facing a severe energy crisis that has impacted all aspects of its economy and society. Energy crisis refers to a situation where a country or region does not have adequate energy resources to meet its demand for electricity, gas, and fuel. Energy is a vital input for economic growth and development, and its shortage can result in power outages, high energy bills, unemployment, poverty, and social unrest. Pakistan’s energy crisis is a complex problem that has been brewing for decades and requires urgent attention and action from policymakers, stakeholders, and citizens. This essay explores the causes, effects, and possible solutions to the energy crisis in Pakistan.

The energy crisis in Pakistan can be attributed to several factors, including the widening gap between energy demand and supply, power sector inefficiencies and circular debt, dependence on imported oil and gas, insufficient investment in renewable energy sources, and inadequate energy infrastructure and transmission losses. According to the Pakistan Energy Yearbook 2020, the country’s energy demand has been growing at an average rate of 4% per annum, while the installed capacity has only increased by 2.5% per annum. As a result, there is a significant shortfall in energy supply, leading to frequent power outages and load shedding.

Moreover, Pakistan’s power sector is plagued by inefficiencies, corruption, and circular debt. The circular debt is a vicious cycle of unpaid electricity bills, delayed payments, and accumulated interest that has ballooned to over Rs. 2.5 trillion ($16 billion). The power sector’s financial woes have resulted in the inadequate maintenance and upgrading of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks, further exacerbating the energy crisis.

Furthermore, Pakistan heavily relies on imported oil and gas to meet its energy needs, making it vulnerable to global price fluctuations and geopolitical risks. The country spends over $10 billion annually on oil and gas imports, draining its foreign exchange reserves and increasing its debt burden. In contrast, Pakistan has vast potential for renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, which remain largely untapped due to the lack of investment and incentives.

Lastly, Pakistan’s energy infrastructure and transmission lines are outdated and inefficient, resulting in high transmission losses and power theft. According to the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), the transmission and distribution losses in Pakistan are as high as 18%, compared to the global average of 8-10%.

Argumentation

The energy crisis in Pakistan has far-reaching effects on its economy and society. The shortage of energy has hampered industrial growth, reduced agricultural productivity, and increased production costs, leading to a decline in exports and foreign investment. Moreover, the high electricity and gas bills have burdened households, especially the poor, who have to spend a significant portion of their income on energy expenses.The energy crisis has also affected the health and education sectors, with hospitals and schools facing power outages and inadequate cooling and heating systems.

Furthermore, the energy crisis has political and security implications for Pakistan. The country’s dependence on foreign aid and loans to finance its energy imports has increased its debt burden and reduced its bargaining power in international forums. The energy crisis has also contributed to social unrest and the rise of extremism and terrorism in the country, with disgruntled youth joining militant groups and resorting to violence against the government and foreign interests.

Possible Solutions

To address the energy crisis in Pakistan, several possible solutions can be considered. Firstly, Pakistan needs to shift towards renewable energy sources and implement energy efficiency measures to reduce its dependence on imported oil and gas and lower its carbon footprint. The government should incentivize the private sector to invest in renewable energy projects, offer tax exemptions, and introduce net metering policies to encourage households and industries to generate their own electricity.

Secondly, Pakistan should explore and develop its indigenous oil, gas, and coal reserves to reduce its reliance on imports and enhance its energy security. However, this should be done in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner, taking into account the local communities’ needs and concerns.

Thirdly, Pakistan needs to improve its energy infrastructure and transmission lines to minimize transmission losses and power theft. The government should invest in upgrading and expanding the transmission and distribution networks, introduce smart grid technologies, and promote public-private partnerships in the energy sector.

Lastly, Pakistan should address the circular debt issue and undertake power sector reforms to improve governance, transparency, and accountability. The government should ensure timely payment of electricity bills, recover outstanding dues, and streamline the tariff system to reflect the actual cost of production and distribution.

Description

Pakistan’s energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels, with oil and gas accounting for over 80% of its primary energy supply. Coal and hydroelectricity contribute around 6% and 12%, respectively, while renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and biomass, account for less than 2%. Despite this, Pakistan has significant potential for renewable energy sources, with the World Bank estimating that the country can generate up to 150,000 megawatts of solar and wind power alone.

Several successful renewable energy projects have been implemented in Pakistan in recent years, including the Jhumpir Wind Power Plant in Sindh, the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Punjab, and the Biogas Plants in rural areas. These projects have not only increased the country’s energy supply but also provided job opportunities, improved access to electricity for underserved communities, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the development of renewable energy in Pakistan faces several challenges, including the high upfront capital costs, the lack of financing options, and the inadequate grid infrastructure. Moreover, the intermittent nature of solar and wind power requires backup storage systems, which are not yet commercially viable in Pakistan. Nevertheless, Pakistan can leverage its strategic location, abundant sunlight, and windy coastlines to become a regional leader in renewable energy.

The success stories of renewable energy projects in Pakistan are a testament to the country’s potential to address its energy crisis. The Jhumpir Wind Power Plant, for instance, has a capacity of 50 megawatts and can provide electricity to over 50,000 households. The project was initiated by the government in 2014 and completed in 2016 with the support of Chinese companies. The Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, on the other hand, is the largest solar power plant in Pakistan, with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts. The project was launched in 2015 and completed in 2020 with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank.

Similarly, the Biogas Plants in rural areas have helped alleviate energy poverty and improve the living standards of rural communities. The project involves the installation of biogas digesters in households and farms, which convert animal waste and crop residues into biogas for cooking and heating purposes. The project has been successful in reducing deforestation, improving hygiene, and reducing indoor air pollution in rural areas.

Pakistan’s energy crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive and sustainable solution. The country’s overreliance on imported oil and gas, circular debt, outdated infrastructure, and lack of investment in renewable energy sources have led to chronic energy shortages, high production costs, and social and political unrest. However, Pakistan has significant potential for renewable energy, and several successful projects have been implemented in recent years. To address the energy crisis, Pakistan needs to shift towards renewable energy sources, develop its indigenous energy resources sustainably, improve its energy infrastructure and transmission lines, and undertake power sector reforms. By doing so, Pakistan can not only address its energy crisis but also enhance its energy security, reduce its carbon footprint, and promote sustainable development.

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Renewable energy deployment to combat energy crisis in Pakistan

• Abdul Raheem 1 , 2 ,
• Sikandar Ali Abbasi 2 ,
• Asif Memon 3 ,
• Saleem R. Samo 3 ,
• Y. H. Taufiq-Yap 4 ,
• Michael K. Danquah 5 &
• Razif Harun 1  

Energy, Sustainability and Society volume  6 , Article number:  16 ( 2016 ) Cite this article

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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.

Pakistan is one of the most populated countries in the southern Asia region, contributing approximately 2.56 % of the total global population. The country is expected to serve as an international trade and energy corridor in the near future due to its strategic location [ 1 , 2 ]. Hence, among other social, economic, and political factors, Pakistan needs to ensure its energy supplies meet the direct and indirect demands of the country not only for maintaining economic growth but also for supporting regional and global economic initiatives. The vast deficit between demand and supply of electricity recorded in 2009–2010 was 26.82 %. This figure has increased up to 50 % during the summer of 2012 [ 1 ]. A routine problem is that electricity supply cannot be maintained during peak hours, resulting in frequent power shutdown (load shedding) of 13–14 h in urban areas, and 16–19 h in rural areas. As a result, many entrepreneurs and industrialists have invested and moved their businesses to neighboring countries [ 3 ]. Hence, short- and long-term measures are required to solve the existing energy problems. The present state of Pakistan’s energy resources is summarized (Fig.  1 ). It can be seen that indigenous energy sources mainly consist of oil (38 %), hydro (32 %), natural gas (27 %), and coal (3 %) [ 1 ].

Distribution of indigenous energy sources available in Pakistan [ 1 ]

Sustainable supply of energy to meet the current and future domestic and industrial demands in Pakistan will rely on full-scale generation from the different energy sources in order to make significant contributions to the supply chain. Current energy generation has a huge financial burden on the country’s economy due to the importation of oil to support existing mix, and the situation is heightened by the rapid declination of domestic gas assets. According to the Board of Investment Pakistan, the installed power capacity is 22,797 MW. However, current generation stands between 12,000 and 13,000 MW per day, against peak a demand of 17,000 to 21,000 MW [ 4 ]. Figure  2 shows the average annual demand of electricity, which is increasing at a constant rate of 8–10 % annually.

Electricity demand and supply trends for Pakistan from 2010 to 2030 [ 5 , 7 ]

The acute shortfall and burden imposed by oil importation creates a huge economic constraint for the country [ 5 , 6 ]. Various efforts have been made by different governmental organizations and international bodies such as Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank to stabilize the energy situation. They share similar objectives to enhance fossil fuel production for electricity generation. Unfortunately, governmental efforts to address concerns relating to energy security, climate change, and sustainable development have been minimal. Whilst little effort is put into increasing domestic fossil fuel (gas, coal, and oil) based electricity, the search for alternative fuel sources which are more sustainable and renewable should be a major national priority. Renewable energy in Pakistan was reported to be <1 % in 2010. However, Pakistani government has targeted to achieve 5 % of renewable energy by 2030 [ 7 , 8 ]. The article reports on the potential and exploration of renewable energy as a major contributor to future sustainable energy pursuits in Pakistan.

Renewable energy potential in Pakistan

Pakistan has four main renewable energy sources. These are wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. These resources have a significant potential to provide solutions to the long-lasting energy crisis in Pakistan [ 8 ]. Hence, a steady development of these resources is a crucial step to overcome the existing energy challenges in an environmental friendly manner. Among the different renewable energy sources, solar energy has received the most research attention [ 9 – 16 ]. Sheikh [ 13 ], for instance, evaluated the potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation capacity with 14 % efficient PV panels over area of 100 km 2 , which is 0.01 % of total land area of the country. From the results, it was concluded that covering 100 km 2 area of land with PV panels can produce energy equivalent to 30 million tons of oil equivalent (MTOE) in Pakistan. Gondal and Sahir [ 15 ], considered 0.45 % of urban regions for PV installations to estimate the total energy generation capacity based on solar PV system. A survey conducted by Hasnain and Gibbs [ 16 ] showed that the interior part of the county consists of mainly agricultural land, which is appropriate for the development of biomass feedstock, whereas northern and southern corridors have a significant potential for hydro, wind, and solar. This finding is useful as it might possibly improve the diverse energy supply market and decrease the dependency on imported fuels and environmental pollution. Figure  3 shows the entire spectrum and end-uses of alternative sources which are the best options to meet basic requirements of energy needs, with various employment openings, local manufacturing.

End-uses of renewable energy resources

It has been projected that Pakistan will contribute up to 10,000 MW to its energy mix through renewable energy resources by 2030 [ 17 ]. Therefore, timely and appropriate progress to exploit the potential of different natural energy resources will have a tremendously influence in meeting future projections.

Wind energy

The development and use of alternative energy resources have been a major endeavor since 2003. The Pakistani government has set up a recognized body [ 17 ], to coordinate efforts in this area. This organization plays an important role in narrowing the gap between demand and supply of electricity by promoting the utilization of renewable energy. Pakistan’s Meteorological Department (PMD) has collaborated with the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL), USA, to conduct a wind speed survey of 46 different locations in Sindh and Baluchistan provinces with height ranging from 10–30 m. The data from the feasibility studies were analyzed by Alternative Energy Development Board Pakistan (AEDB) [ 12 , 13 ], and it was found that a vast area of 9750 km 2 with a high wind speed was discovered and zoned as “Gharo-Corridor” as shown in Fig.  4 . The area has a significant potential to produce around 50,000 MW of electricity. However, due to the occurrence of other economic activities, only 25 % of the area can be utilized with a production potential of 11,000 MW [ 12 , 18 ].

Wind mapping stations in Sindh with a potential to produce 11,000 MW at a height of 50 m [ 12 ]

Moreover, significant wind speeds were identified in the costal part of Baluchistan, particularly in Swat and some of the Northern areas. Out of 42 examined sites, seven have a capacity factor ranging from 10 to 18 % and are appropriate for Bonus wind turbines (Model 600/44 MK IV) [ 19 ]. However, the potential of these sites is still being explored although the capacity is not enough to contribute to the national grid. NREL, together with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has identified a total gross wind resource of 346,000 MW in Pakistan, where approximately 120,000 MW can be technically exploited to power the national gird [ 20 ]. Recently, a wind project with 500 MW capacities has been completed in 2013 [ 17 ]. In addition, more than 18 wind turbine companies are approaching AEDB to install 3000 MW wind project [ 21 ]. At the moment, the first phase of the Zorlu wind project generating 6 MW is in operation whilst a 56 MW plant is yet to be installed. Different wind power projects with a cumulative capacity of approximately 964 MW are at different phases of construction and would be completed in the near future. The Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) has installed nearly 150 small wind turbines ranging between 0.49 and 9 kW with a cumulative power output of 160 kW at the different areas of Sindh and Baluchistan, powering 1569 homes including 9 security check posts [ 22 ]. Also, thousands of small wind turbines with a capacity of 300–1000 W have been installed by different Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), electrifying rural areas of Sindh province. Most recently, three villages of Baluchistan have been powered using a wind/PV hybrid system [ 1 ]. With further investment and development, wind energy could become a major component of sustainable energy future in Pakistan.

Solar energy

Solar is believed to be one of the most endowed renewable energy sources. It is reliable and capable of producing substantial amount of energy without posing adverse impacts on the environment. Generally, PV cell and solar thermal conversion systems are used to capture sun energy for various applications in rural and urban areas. PV technology is capable of converting direct sun radiation into electricity (Fig.  5 ). Solar thermal technology uses thermal solar collectors to capture energy from the sun to heat up water to steam for electricity generation [ 23 , 24 ].

A schematic drawing of the mechanism of operation of solar photovoltaic systems

Pakistan with a land area of 796,096 km 2 is located between longitudes 62° and 75° east and latitudes 24° and 37° north [ 25 ]. This unique geographical position and climate conditions is advantageous for the exploitation of solar energy. Almost every part of the country receives 8–10 h day −1 high solar radiations with more than 300 sunshine days in a year [ 14 , 26 ]. Figure  6 illustrates the range of solar radiation levels per month in the major cities of Pakistan.

Minimum and maximum range of solar radiations in Pakistan [ 27 ]

The prospects of solar energy in Pakistan have also been widely investigated by many researchers [ 27 – 33 ]. Adnan et al. [ 30 ] analyzed the magnitude of solar radiation data for 58 different PMD stations, and the data showed that over 95 % of the total area of Pakistan receives solar radiations of 5–7 kWh m −2  day −1 . Ahmed et al. [ 31 ] and Ahmed et al. [ 32 ] used different methods to estimate and characterize direct or diffused solar radiations in many parts of the country. Khalil and Zaidi [ 33 ] conducted the survey of wind speed and intensity of solar radiations at different locations of country. Furthermore, the data was then compared among wind turbine (1 kVA), solar PV (1 kVA), and gasoline generator (1 kVA) (Table  1 ). The comparison showed that the wind and solar energy are most appropriate alternative resources. The study also found that the 1 kW of solar PV can produce 0.23 kW of electricity, which can significantly contribute to reduce load shedding in Pakistan. Hasanain and Gibbs [ 16 ] detailed out the significance of solar energy in rural areas of the country.

AEDB has estimated that Pakistan has about 2,900,000 MW (2900 GW) of solar power potential [ 18 ]. The main obstacles to full-scale exploitation include (1) high cost, (2) lack of technology, (3) socio-political behaviors, and (4) governmental policy conflicts.

In 2003, the chief minister of Punjab launched the “UJAALA” program, where 30 W PV panels were distributed among university students throughout the country. This program aimed at encouraging people to utilize alternative energy and cut-down their dependency on the national gird. Another project introduced by the government was the “Quaid-e-Azam solar park.” This solar park is built to produce 2000 MW of electricity by 2015 [ 23 ]. It is projected that the largest solar photovoltaic electricity production will be established after 2020 [ 1 ]. PCRET has set up approximately 300 solar PV units of 100 kW capacities to power 500 homes, colleges and mosques, including street lighting [ 34 ]. AEDB has powered 3000 families by installing 200 kW PV system together with 80 W solar charged lighting systems [ 28 ]. Many NGOs are effectively working to install PV units in several parts of the country. The solar street lamps and solar charging lights for households are particularly of major interest. Pakistan has a target of electrifying approximately 40,000 villages via solar PV by 2015 [ 28 ].

Solar water heating

The solar water heating technology has been extensively applied in Pakistan with an annual growth rate of 245 % during the last four years [ 35 , 36 ]. AEDB has started a Consumer Confidence Building Program (CCBP) to promote solar water heating system in Pakistan. The main objective of this program is to create awareness and build-up consumer confidence thorough various incentives. At present, there are 55 companies importing solar geysers, including 25 local manufactures [ 37 ]. The main factors contributing to growth pattern are heftiness, affordability, technological reliability and increasing scarcity of natural gas. It is estimated that approximately 9500 of solar water heating units will be operated in the country by 2015, and projected to be 24,000 units by 2020 without any governmental subsidies [ 38 ]. According to Han et al. [ 39 ], utilizing solar water heating technology instead of natural gas or conventional sources has significant advantages on economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

Solar water desalination

Solar desalination is a new and cost-effective technology to remove salt and other minerals from water for daily life applications. The technology desalinates brackish water or seawater either using solar distillation or an indirect method whilst converting the solar energy into heat or electricity [ 39 – 41 ]. It is an environmentally advantageous and cost-effective technology; hence, it is much patronized by communities in rural regions [ 41 ]. Arjunan et al. [ 42 ] described the design layout and functioning principles of an installed solar water desalination unit in Awania, India. They reported that the distillation of brackish water using solar energy is an effective way to provide potable water for rural communities in arid and semi-arid zones. This makes it a potential technology to be employed in different areas of Pakistan where fresh water availability is limited such as Thar deserts and Cholistan regions. Most of the regions in the country have brackish subsoil water which is not appropriate for human and other living inhabitants [ 33 ]; hence, desalination by means of solar energy will be beneficial and sustainable in providing portable water for the rural areas of Sindh, Baluchistan, and Punjab [ 41 ] The government of Balochistan has installed two solar plants in Gawadar, comprising 240 stills and each plant has the capacity to treat up to 6000 g day −1 of sea water. Projects to develop the same solar plant system have been initiated in different areas of Balochistan and other province of Pakistan [ 41 ]. The Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) has fabricated a single basin solar still with an optimized efficiency of 30.62 %, being comparable to stills used globally.

Industrial solar water heating

Apart from domestic use, solar water heating system is also used in various commercial and industrial applications including laundries, hotels, food preparation and storage, and general processing and manufacturing. In the textile industry for example, water heating for dyeing, finishing, drying, and curing consumes approximately 65 % of the total energy [ 14 ]. Processing and manufacturing industries also require water heating for various operations such as sterilization, distillation, evaporation, and polymerization. Solar thermal technology is one of the most effective solutions to achieve the desired temperature and productivity for the aforementioned applications [ 42 ]. Pakistan is the fourth largest producer of cotton in the world; hence, this technology will contribute significantly to meet the water heating requirements of the cotton industry sustainably. As a major contributor to the economy of Pakistan, the textile industry is facing serious challenges in maintaining the global environmental standards. The industry is energy intensive; thus, high energy costs and persistent shortages in demand and supply impact negatively on the production and competitiveness of the industry. Full-scale operation of industrial solar water heating systems would contribute significantly to resolved energy problems faced by the industry. Energy is a crucial commodity on the international market, and its production and competitiveness are the functioning indicators [ 43 , 44 ]. Water heating is an energy-intensive process and conventionally relies on the use of fossil fuels energy. Solar water heating technology can benefit textile industries in Pakistan by providing an economical choice and a potential alternative to conventional fossil-based routes. Mass implementation of solar water heating systems will also reduce the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels significantly. Muneer et al. [ 45 ] reported a payback period of 6 years for solar water heating systems incorporated into Pakistan textiles industries. Muneer et al. [ 46 ] also examined the prospect of solar water heating system on Turkish textile industry and estimated a payback period of ~5 years.

In view of the existing enormous potential, solar energy offers a promising and useful option for Pakistan in various commercial applications. The government needs to consider this technology as an important source of energy and promote massive and rapid investments to meet the supply of power in rural regions such as Balochistan, Thar Desert, and Cholistan, where grid connectivity is not accessible.

Biomass is typically derived from plants, animals, and agricultural wastes. It has been in used for various applications such as cooking, heat, fuel, and electricity in rural areas. Broadly, biomass is classified into four major groups: (i) agricultural waste, (ii) municipal solid waste, (iii) animal residue, and (iv) forest residue [ 47 ]. However, plants and animals are the main sources of biomass production. Almost 220 billion tons of biomass is produced globally each year from these sources, which is capable of producing substantial amount of energy without releasing high concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and other greenhouse gasses compared to fossil fuels [ 48 , 49 ]. Technically, they can be converted into different products either using thermochemical or biochemical methods. However, each of the conversion methods has its own pros and cons and process conditions such as characteristics of biomass feedstock and the desired end product [ 50 ]. Biomass could be appropriate and effective for commercial exploitation to generate electricity throughout world, due to its characteristics for high value fuel products [ 50 ].

Pakistan is an agricultural country where most of its population (around 70 %) lives in remote areas [ 2 , 51 ]. Hence, the availability of biomass is very extensive particularly from agriculture and livestock sources, including crop residues and waste from animals. These wastes amount to 50,000 tons day −1 of solid waste, 225,000 tons day −1 of agricultural residue, and approximately 1 million tons day −1 of manure [ 26 , 52 , 53 ]. Due to limited access to grid electricity and advanced technologies in these remote areas, most people are powered using traditional practices to fulfill their energy needs [ 1 , 2 ]. The sugar cane production industries produces bagasse as residue and this can be used to produce electricity to power sugar mills. Pakistan is the fifth largest country worldwide with sugarcane producing capacity of over 87,240,100 million tons. AEDB and NREL, USA, have estimated 1800 MW of power generation from sugarcane bagasse [ 17 , 54 , 55 ]. In the view of present energy scenario, the government has authorized sugar mill owners to sell their surplus power to the national grid station under the limits of 700 MW [ 50 ]. Moreover, urban areas produce large quantities of municipal waste which could possibly be digested to produce biogas, a renewable fuel further used to produce green electricity, heat, or as vehicle fuel and the digested substrate, commonly named digestate, and used as fertilizer in agriculture [ 13 , 52 , 56 ]. Figure  7 is added to explain working principles of biogas plant and applications of the produced products from the process.

Working principles of biogas plant and products application [ 56 ]

Biogas technology is highly advanced in China and India. More than 6 million domestic plants and nearly 950 small and medium units were installed in China by 2007, with an estimated production of 2 million m 3 of clean burning fuel to meet 5 % of its total gas energy needs [ 57 ]. A domestic biogas plant was launched in Tibet, China to explore the potential of cattle manure as feedstock, and this has been successfully implemented to improve the social and economic conditions of the region [ 58 ]. Efforts have been made to implement biogas technology in Pakistan. The first biogas plant was constructed in 1959 to process farmyard manure (FYM) in Sindh [ 59 ]. However, only in 1974 did the government of Pakistan start putting efforts into the implementation of residential biogas technology as an alternative source of energy. Plants with fixed dome, portable gas digesters, and small tanks/bags are the three most frequently used designs for biogas operating plants in Pakistan [ 60 ]. Currently, Pakistan has more than 5000 installed biogas plants to meet its domestic fuel needs. These plants are efficiently producing up to 2.5 million m 3 of biogas annually together with 4 million kg year −1 of bio-fertilizer [ 1 , 61 ]. The total estimated nationwide biogas potential is about 13–15 million m 3 day −1 [ 48 , 62 ]. There are opportunities to utilize biomass to produce biogas in the country’s remote regions through community biogas plant networks. Almost 57 million animals exist in Pakistan with an annual growth rate of 10 % [ 60 , 61 ]. The number is capable of producing enough biomass to generate over 12 million m 3 day −1 of biogas, which is sufficient to meet the energy needs of more than 28 million peoples in the rural areas, along with approximately 21 million tons day −1 of bio-fertilizer [ 47 , 63 ]. The collaboration between the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and the Directorate General of New and Renewable Resources (DGNRER) enabled the installation of more than 4000 biogas plants by 1974 to 1987. The plants were intended to produce about 3000 to 5000 ft 3 day −1 of biogas for lighting and cooking applications [ 63 ]. The scheme was divided into three stages. In stage 1, around 100 Chinese fixed-doom type plants were installed by DGNRER for demonstration purposes on grant-basis. In stage 2, the budget expenses for sponsorship was shared between the recipients and government, and in stage 3, all the economic sponsorships were withdrawn by the government though free technical supports continued but not reliable. However, the scheme failed due to the following reasons: (i) withdrawal of financial sponsorship by the government, (ii) technology was expensive to invest in and maintain, (iii) less technical awareness/training offered to the locals, (iv) lack of incentives, (v) low patronage or participation by the peoples, and (vi) ineffective demonstration [ 63 ]. Pakistan Council of Appropriate Technology (PCAT) also collaborated with GDNRER to develop a renewable energy technology strategy under the Ministry of Science and Technology. In 2001, PCAT merged with the National Institute of Silicon Technology to form Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET). The council develops and disseminates biogas plants and other suitable options of renewable energy generation into communities in the remote areas [ 63 ]. Currently, approximately 1250 biogas plants have been installed with 50 % of the cost shared between the recipient and PCRET [ 64 ]. On top of that, three community based plants were installed in the remote parts of Islamabad, supplying energy to about 20 homes. Sahir and Qureshi [ 2 ] suggested that by installing pilot size plants, the available biomass can be used to operate high level biogas plants based on crops and dungs in the remote regions and street wastes in the urban areas. A biogas plant of 1000 m 3 capacity has recently been set up in the area of Cattle Colony, Karachi [ 64 ], and the trials and preliminary operations of the project were sponsored by New Zealand Aid (NZAID). There are 400,000 cattle in the area, producing wastes as the feedstock for the biogas plant. The initial generation capacity is ∿ 250 kW of power, and this will be increased to 30 MW with 1450 tons day −1 of fertilizer. Another biogas plant at Shakarganj Mill, with the capacity to produce up to 8.25 MW, is still under construction through the help of AEDB [ 65 ]. In addition, PCRET aims to provide alternate renewable energy system in rural households/villages by installing 50,000 medium-scale biogas plants at various locations in the country by 2015, with total annual biogas generation capacity of 110 m 3 [ 1 , 48 ]. Biogas productivity and quality is greatly influenced by the waste type, waste composition, and operational parameters such as temperature, feeding rate, retention time, particle size, water/solid ratio, and C/N ratio [ 66 ]. A temperature range between 30 and 40 °C is found to be optimal for high biogas production rate [ 67 ]. Feedstock available and batch loading are also important parameters for efficient biogas plant operation and help to maximize biogas yield. However, over or under loading of feedstock and water affects the overall efficiency of the process. It has been observed that carbon is consumed 25 times faster than nitrogen during anaerobic fermentation by microorganisms. Therefore, to meet this requirement, microbes require 25–30:1 carbon to nitrogen ratio with most of the carbon degraded within the minimum retention time [ 68 , 69 ]. Retention time refers to the digestion period for which the waste remains inside the digester. It is estimated to be average 10 days to few weeks depending on the waste composition, process parameters location of plant and atmospheric conditions [ 70 ]. The digestibility of waste is essential to promote its decomposition into simple organics and biogas products. The digestibility is usually enhanced by treatments using calcium hydroxide, ammonia, and sodium hydroxide. Water and urea can also improve waste digestibility [ 71 ].

Bioethanol and biodiesel

Pakistan has a considerable potential to produce biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel. The establishment of these biofuels will help reduce the oil demands of the country of which 82 % is sourced by importation. Various initiatives have been commenced by the government to increase biofuel production. Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) is the agency responsible to develop bioethanol production in the country. Sugar millers offer incentives and materials such as fertilizers and pesticides to sugarcane growers to enhance crop production and maximize bioethanol production [ 14 ]. In 2007, only 6 out of 80 sugar mills in the country had the facilities to convert raw molasses [ 14 ]. With the existing production rate of sugarcane, Pakistan has the potential to produce more than 400,000 tons year −1 of ethanol. However, only about a third (120,000 tons) is produced currently [ 55 ]. Though several small projects have been carried out to evaluate the commercial applications of bioethanol, significant efforts to develop and promote bioethanol are still lacking due to ineffective government policies and lack of infrastructure for large-scale manufacturing. Also, a major portion of the limited bioethanol produced is traded in different forms such as alcohol and molasses.

A significant potential to produce biodiesel also exists in Pakistan through the use of castor bean, a self-grown crop found in different parts of the country. It is estimated to produce more than 1180 kg oil ha −1 , which is significantly higher than other biomass such as corn (140 kg oil ha −1 ), soybean (375 kg oil ha −1 ) and sunflower (800 kg oil ha −1 ) [ 14 ]. Due to its high oil content, castor bean can be a promising alternative feedstock for biodiesel production. Castor oil has the advantage of being soluble in alcohol under ambient temperature conditions, and this is beneficial to biodiesel production. It is an untapped resource in the country; thus, utilization for biodiesel production will not only contribute to meeting the energy demands of the country but also emerge as a value-adding process that can promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the country.

Hydropower in Pakistan

Water is one of the most vital constituents that support all form of life on earth and offers various other services such as power generation [ 72 ]. Hydropower relates to the generation of power from dropping water [ 73 ]. The kinetic energy present in water dropping from elevated levels can be transferred into mechanical power via hydropower turbine and then to electricity using an electric generator (Fig.  8 ). The output of electricity is directly proportional to the elevation of moving water (pressure) and flow rate [ 74 ].

Design and operating mechanism of a hydropower plant [ 74 ]

Based on the flow of water, hydropower power plants are classified into small and large. Large hydro power plants require large dams together with water flow control mechanism [ 75 , 76 ], whereas small hydro power plants (SHPPs) are used to extract energy from low volumes of water flow such as canals, rivers, and streams [ 74 ]. SHPPs are run-of-river systems, and thus do not require any extensive structures such as dam to store water, leading to significantly low environmental impacts [ 77 , 78 ]. Hence, SHPPs are considered ideal renewable energy generation. Hydropower is one of the most established and reliable renewable energy, contributing approximately 20 % to worldwide energy market [ 14 ]. Hydropower plays a leading role in the total energy mix of several countries in the world. Norway accounts for more than 95 % of its power generation from hydropower and Brazil is almost 88 %. Similarly, Canada produces 70 % and Austria produces 65 % of hydropower to meet their energy needs [ 14 ]. India incorporated domestic fluvial systems by integrating its main rivers to improve hydrological control and to increase their hydropower production to 54,000 MW in 2012 [ 78 , 79 ]. Hydropower is also a major energy source in China, and it is projected to contribute 27,000 MW of the total energy by 2020 [ 79 ]. The technology is ongoing in 27 countries in Asia, and countries such as India, Iran, Bhutan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Vietnam, and Pakistan [ 79 , 80 ].

Hydropower is a major source of renewable energy in Pakistan with a great potential for SHPPs especially in locations between the Arabian Sea and mountainous areas such as Hindu Kush, Himalayas, and Karakorum. These features offer enough potential energy to the falling water to develop a maximum pressure [ 81 ]. Moreover, major rivers such as Sutlej, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum, falling into Indus River can be explored for power generation [ 5 , 82 ]. The power generation capacity of SHPPs for the above sites is 2250 MW [ 78 ]. Pakistan has 18,502,227,829.8 m 3 capacity to store 13 % of its annual river flow whilst the rest of the water directly flows down to the Arabian Sea [ 5 ]. Therefore, additional water storage capacity (such as dams) will be obligatory for future sustainable irrigation and electric power generation. In Pakistan, the total estimated hydropower generation is over 42,000 MW, but unfortunately, only 16 %, amounting to around 6758 MW, has been technically exploited so far. Ninety percent of this comes from hydropower resources in the northern parts of Pakistan [ 1 , 14 ]. Figure  9 shows current operational hydropower projects in Pakistan also shows the respective projects that will be completed by 2015 to bring the installed capacity to over 8000 MW.

The major hydropower (HP) projects in service with installed capacity and under construction with proposed capacity in Pakistan [ 5 , 88 ]

In addition, WAPDA have completed a feasibility study of run-of-river hydro projects with combined installed capacity of approximately 21,000 MW at various locations in the country. This includes Bunji (7100 MW), Tarbela fourth extension (1399 MW), Kohala (1095 MW), Lower Palas Valley (660 MW), Mahl (599 MW), and Lower spat Gah (495 MW) [ 14 , 81 ]. Apart from these run-of-river projects, there is also a high potential for large-scale reservoir projects (dams) including Diamer Basha (4400 MW), Dasu (4250 MW), Munda (735 MW), Kurram-Tangi (80 MW), and Kalabagh dam (KB) (3600 MW). Apart from electricity generation purposes, dams are also used to control flood in Pakistan. One of the dams used for that purpose is Kala-bagh (KB). At the provincial level, there are some objections for its construction; however, the perception has changed when the dam was used to control flood and saved lives during 2010’s flood [ 83 ]. On that incident, over 2000 people were killed; $ 9.7 billion loss of economy and more than 20 million people were highly affected in terms of their lives, homes, and crops [ 84 , 85 ]. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces were the worst affected, those suffered immense losses [ 86 ]. This massive destruction resulted long-lasting impacts not only on social human life and economy but it has also resulted in destruction of natural environment posing land erosion, killing of wildlife and other natural resources [ 87 ].

The feasibility study of the KB dam showed the construction of a 260-ft high rock-fill dam that would be able to store approximately 7,400,891,131.92 m 3 of water [ 83 ]. The dam consists of two spillways for effective distribution of flood water for instant and appropriate water disposal. During probable floods, these spillways are able to discharge more than 2 million cusecs of water [ 83 ]. The mean annual river flow at KB is high, approximately 111,013,366,978.8 m 3 due to the additional nullahs and other tributaries that join the Indus River between KB dam and Diamer Bhasha dam. So, the approximate volume of flood to be managed at KB dam is around 2,200,000 cusecs [ 88 ]. Therefore, the development of KB dam is important to the government for flood management which capable in preventing future flood risks and combat energy crisis. To realize the full benefits of hydropower generation systems in Pakistan, crucial policy reforms are obligatory to develop hydropower by enhancing sustainable generation capacity.

Conclusions

Energy is crucial to the socio-economic development of all countries. A steady transformation is being observed throughout world from primary energy supplies based on conventional sources to renewable resources. Pakistan continues to formulate efforts towards renewable energy endeavors. However, with the current gap between the demand and production of power in Pakistan, which is approximately 5000–8000 MW with a constant increase of 8–10 % per annum, and the heavy dependence on limited fossil fuel resources, renewable alternatives which are able to commercially support conventional energy options must soon be in full-scale operation. Wind, solar, hydro, and biomass are the resources that are abundantly present in Pakistan. In Table  2 , the energy generation capacities of these resources stand at 120,000 MW for wind, 2,900,000 MW for solar, 5500 MW for biomass, and 42,000 MW for hydropower [ 1 , 14 , 18 , 20 ]. This creates a significant potential to overcome existing fuel needs in the country. This potential capacity is fairly distributed among the different provinces. Sindh is endowed with wind potential in the South, Baluchistan is rich with solar potential in the West, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is rich with hydro in the northeast area. Therefore, existing potential of renewables can be explored in four distant regions for power generation, water/space heating, engine fuel, and stand-alone power systems (SAPS). Though different efforts have been made to address the roadblocks which renewable energy technologies (RETs) face, the development has not been completely viable due to social, technological, economical, and informational hindrances. These concerns are the prime deterrents in the development of renewables. The country’s future energy should come from a balanced mixture of all these resources to steadily decrease its reliance on imported oil. The importance should be given to more rapid and targeted advancement of hydropower as large potential exists in country and most of feasibility studies have been concluded [ 14 , 81 ]. The supply of electricity from wind to grid has already started in 2014. However, it is still a challenge due to some impediments such as absence of infrastructure (e.g., large cranes, road network) and inadequate grid integration ability. Therefore, it is necessary to address these challenges by prioritizing the provision of these facilities. The economical and user friendly solar cookers, solar water heaters, and solar dryers should be progressed, as instantaneous integration approach can have insightful influence on the overall energy demand in Pakistan. The frequent public demonstrations and official campaigns must be carried out to educate the general public regarding environmental and commercial benefits of green energy, which will boost up the acceptability of those facilities. Besides, the specific feasibility studies should be conducted for the installation of large-scale gird connected to solar thermal power stations. The renewable energy syllabus must be introduced from the primary to the university levels in the institutions to develop consensus in support of accepting renewables as energy sources in Pakistan. The graduate students should be sent to foreign institutions to acquire more knowledge on emerging renewable energy technologies. Policies for buying small scale renewable energy systems using a payable loan scheme for public should be framed. Security, law, and order situations in country must be addressed at priority basis to encourage the attention of the local and foreign investors to invest in renewable energy. The power demand of Pakistan is projected to increase up to 11,000 MW by the year 2030 [ 1 ]. Therefore, a more holistic approach by addressing all above mentioned issues are important to fully utilize the renewable energy potential to achieve a sustainable energy future of the country. A determined political will is the key to energy independence.

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This work has been supported by the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia.

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Abdul Raheem & Razif Harun

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Raheem, A., Abbasi, S.A., Memon, A. et al. Renewable energy deployment to combat energy crisis in Pakistan. Energ Sustain Soc 6 , 16 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-016-0082-z

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Energy crisis in pakistan and economic progress: decoupling the impact of coal energy consumption in power and brick kilns.

1. Introduction

2. literature review, 3. data and methods, specification of econometric model, 4. empirical results and discussion, 4.1. exploratory data analyses and correlation, 4.2. stationarity testing, 4.3. cointegration testing for the variables, 4.4. results of quantile regression estimation, 4.5. estimation of quantile process, 4.6. estimates of symmetric quantiles and slope equality test, 4.7. estimates of cointegration regression technique, 5. conclusions and policy recommendations, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, conflicts of interest.

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Rehman, A.; Ma, H.; Radulescu, M.; Sinisi, C.I.; Yousaf, Z. Energy Crisis in Pakistan and Economic Progress: Decoupling the Impact of Coal Energy Consumption in Power and Brick Kilns. Mathematics 2021 , 9 , 2083. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9172083

Rehman A, Ma H, Radulescu M, Sinisi CI, Yousaf Z. Energy Crisis in Pakistan and Economic Progress: Decoupling the Impact of Coal Energy Consumption in Power and Brick Kilns. Mathematics . 2021; 9(17):2083. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9172083

Rehman, Abdul, Hengyun Ma, Magdalena Radulescu, Crenguta Ileana Sinisi, and Zahid Yousaf. 2021. "Energy Crisis in Pakistan and Economic Progress: Decoupling the Impact of Coal Energy Consumption in Power and Brick Kilns" Mathematics 9, no. 17: 2083. https://doi.org/10.3390/math9172083

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