Pakistan is experiencing the peak of summer, accompanied by the misery of prolonged power outages across the country. Reports indicate a significant shortfall of 6,000 megawatts in electricity supply. Khalid Tawab, Former Senior Vice President of FPCCI, stated this. He said there are 6 hours of load shedding in urban areas, while rural areas suffer from 12 hours of load shedding. These outages come with fluctuations, tripping, and low voltage due to overloaded transmission systems.
During peak hours, the power demand has reached a record high of 30,000 MW, causing immense hardship for the people. He lamented that power generation companies justify the power shortage by citing maintenance activities, exacerbating the population’s misery. One of the main reasons behind this substantial shortfall is the failure of the DISCO (Distribution Companies) to procure materials on time. This inability to acquire necessary resources has disrupted the smooth functioning of the power system, particularly in such hot weather conditions, he added while commenting that Pakistan’s total power generation capacity stands at 22,930 MW, which includes 6,200 MW from hydropower, 3,100 MW from nuclear sources, 12,800 MW from thermal sources, and 830 MW from wind projects.
State-owned gas-fired power plants receive a supply of 700 million cubic feet per day (mcfd) of gas. However, there is a need for more diesel and furnace oil plants. The total hydel generation remains at 6,000 MW, falling below expectations.
He suggested that solar and wind energies must be encouraged to overcome the power crisis, which is expected to worsen in the coming times. Renewable energy sources make up 26% of the world’s electricity today, but according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), their share is expected to reach 30% by 2024. “This is a pivotal time for renewable energy, provided our government ensures affordability for the common masses,” he added. By providing incentives, such as financial support, subsidies, tax credits, and favourable regulations, the government can stimulate investment in renewable energy projects and make them more accessible and affordable for the general public, driving down the prices of renewable energy technologies. The increase in the number of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energies, will contribute to economies of scale, Khalid added.
He further elaborated that investment in alternative energy technologies in Pakistan can bring numerous benefits, including environmental sustainability, economic growth, job creation, and global recognition. With the right policies, incentives, and collaborative efforts, Pakistan can unlock the full potential of alternative energy and pave the way for a cleaner, more resilient future.
He said investing in alternative energy technologies aligns with global sustainability goals and would demonstrate Pakistan’s commitment to mitigating climate change, enhancing the country’s international reputation, attracting partnerships and collaborations, and opening avenues for accessing international funding and grants to support clean energy initiatives.
He added that the success of renewables and alternative energy in Pakistan has shown promising growth. Solar energy is the most popular choice among the various renewable energy sources, as sunlight is abundantly available as a free energy resource.