-Why renewable energy is important for pakistan? -scope of renewable energy in pakistan -renewable energy potantial in Pakistan

1. Lecture : 02
Why Renewable Energy is
Important for Pakistan?

2. At present, we are encountering the worst electricity crisis in the history of Pakistan
resulting in extended load-shedding to an extent that it virtually suspends social life.
The current energy crisis in the country has taught us many lessons and one of the keys
is to utilize indigenous sources of energy.
Pakistan’s electricity mix is heavily tilted towards thermal power and the country is
making about 30 % of the total electricity from oil. Around 45% by gas.
Any oil price-hike in the international market badly impacts Pakistan’s electricity
generation rendering current circular debt issue even more critical.
The situation has further forced the Government of Pakistan to take decisions like early
market shutdowns, power cut-off to industry, and two holidays per week thus affecting
all business activities
It is nearly impossible at this time to bear the cost of electricity both by the consumers
and the government (circular debt issue) because of the existing oil-based projects
The country needs to have an out-of-the-box thinking to utilize its indigenous
resources, like hydro, coal and other renewable energies

6. Potential Of Solar Energy in Pakistan
Pakistan fortunately has huge amount solar energy and some parts of balochistan are
situated on the solar belt.
If 0.25% of Baluchistan was covered with solar panels with an efficiency of 20%, enough
electricity would be generated to cover all of Pakistani demand
Within the broad scope of Solar Power Technologies, following concrete opportunities
are available in both on-grid and off-grid applications:
i. Village electrification;
ii. Solar water pumps;
iii. Solar water heating and space heating solutions;
iv. Outdoor lighting (Solar/LEDs);
v. On-grid solar power projects using solar PV and
solar thermal technologies;
vi. Net metering applications.

7. Potential Of Wind Energy in Pakistan
Pakistan has wind energy capacity to produce over 150,000 MW of electricity (even
140,000 MW is possible in Sindh) according to recent USAID report
An average acceptable wind speed in most parts of the world lies from 6.2 – 6.9 m/s
(fair category) and 7.0 – 7.4 m/s (good category). Interestingly, wind speed in some
parts of Pakistan (e.g., Sindh corridor, Baluchistan and some northern areas) touches
even excellent category of wind speed (i.e. more than 7.4 m/s).
In only the Baluchistan and Sindh provinces, sufficient wind exists to power every
coastal village in the country.
The government has completed several projects to demonstrate that wind energy is
viable in the country. In Mirpur Sakro, 85 micro turbines have been installed to power
356 homes. In Kund Malir, 40 turbines have been installed, which power 111 homes

8. Potential Of Wind Energy in Pakistan
 There is a huge potential of generating electricity from biomass in Pakistan.
 Only the sugar industry has a potential of producing more than 1,000 MWs of
electricity from bagasse.
 Biomass can also play a vital role in reviving small and medium enterprises for fulfilling
their electrical and heat requirements if they start installing their own biomass
projects in the 500 kW to 5 MW range.
 Being clean and renewable, it will also contribute towards environmental protection,
sustenance of ecosystem and conservation of the biodiversity.

9.  At present, 38 % people in Pakistan remain without access to electricity. More than half
of the rural population currently has no access to electricity, forcing them to live a sub-
standard life of poverty and social inequity.
 WAPDA estimates indicate that there are over 40,000 villages across the country that
cannot be provided electricity as it would not be technically and economically viable to
extend the national grid to the rural areas.
 Out of these 40,000 villages, 6,968 have been identified in Balochistan. Renewable
energy can be effectively used for development and poverty alleviation in these areas.
 Rural demands for electricity pertain to, and are not limited to, lighting, heating &
cooking, clean drinking water, agro industries, small commercial and manufacturing
establishments and production uses, e.g., water/irrigation pumping, crop processing,
refrigeration, and motive power.