2. Current Sites In Pakistan
Indus Deltaic
Creek System
Gawadar
Orm
ara
Tidal power has not yet been operational in Pakistan
compared to other renewable energy technologies, but in
near future it may play a key role.
3. Feasibility Of
Selected Sites
In these creeks water tidal water flows with high velocity
which is a favorable requirement for the extraction of
energy from tidal currents
This energy could be harnessed for the generation of
electrical power for rapidly developing coastal cities
such as Gawadar, Ormara, Pasni etc.
4. Advantages
Renewable energy resource
Not as pollutant as other energy resources
Cheap once the structure has been constructed
Although cost of construction of tidal power is high but
maintenance costs are relatively low.
We can predict the rise and fall of tides as they follow
cyclic fashion.
The energy density of tidal energy is relatively higher
than other renewable energy sources.
Tidal Energy doesn’t require any kind of fuel to run. The
life of tidal energy power plant is very long.
5. Disadvantages
Cost of construction is very high.
Harm to aquatic life and destruction of migration of fish.
This technology is still not cost effective and more
technological advancements are required to make it
commercially viable.
Usually the places where tidal energy is produced are far
away from the places where it is consumed. This
transmission is expensive and difficult.
Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be
damage to power generation units.
There are very few ideal locations for construction of plant
and they too are localized to coastal regions only.
6. The coastline of Pakistan, which is about 1,045 km-long with
dominant features, is the best resource for harnessing tidal
energy. In Sindh, two sites, creek system of Indus delta of
170 km and two to five metres tidal heights at the Korangi
Creek, are available to exploit the tidal energy. Sonmiani
Beach and Kalamat are also good prospects of tidal energy in
Baluchistan. Government has issued license to private
companies to take measures to build tidal power stations in
February 2013. Since then, the engineering work is under
process, and initially a 10 MW plant is proposed at Sonmiani
Bay. Construction is expected to start at the end of 2013.
Future Prospects
