According to the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the overall shortage of electricity in the country has surpassed 3200 megawatts. Ironically, the country's power generation capacity still stands at 19,440 MW (according to Economic Survey 2006-07), in which, Wapda generates 11,363 MW (Hydel 6463 MW, Thermal 4900 MW), IPP 5858 MW, Nuclear 462 MW and KESC 1756 MW.
Any power project commissioned now will take approximately two years to complete, so the power crisis doesn't seem to be ending in the near future. The best way to tackle these crises is development of alternate energy resources. The most beneficial resources are renewable energy like wind power, solar energy, geo thermal and bio-fuel etc.
Pakistan's environment has an ample amount of wind and solar power, and these two areas are yet to be explored. The Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) has identified areas for potential wind power generation with capability to produce 50,000 MW, but no plans have materialised so far.
We must check the rapid energy demand by focusing on alternate sources. In order to tackle this issue, the government must initiate the Policy of Independent Green Power Generation/Sharing (PIGPG), which will be helpful in two ways. First, it will share the growing load on the national grid, and secondly, it will be better for environment.
This policy should encourage the use of solar and wind power by giving incentives/subsidies to the home users for installation of solar energy modules and wind turbine. Like in developed countries, home users can buy solar home systems according to their needs or consumption. These homes are provided easy loans leased by the district government, which come under solar tax incentives, payable in 10 or 15 years.
The policy should also focus on making solar energy viable for domestic consumers. Currently, solar energy module per watt cost is at least Rs 500, (storage and installation excluded) which is beyond the reach of the common man. Another way to tackle this situation is the use of hybrid/standalone solar electronic appliances. In international market as well as in Pakistan, solar bulbs, solar streetlights, solar geysers, solar torches, solar lamps, solar fans etc are available.
Another area which is highly feasible and needs to be accommodated in this policy is wind power generators. Currently, 1.5 KVA turbines for home-use are available at Rs 275,000. If one aims to generate 6 KVA, it will cost more than Rs 1 million. This price should be brought down by encouraging local production and subsidies on immediate basis.
Wind turbines are highly effective especially in Karachi. If prices are dropped, wind power can effectively replace current generators, which are environmental hazards and consume precious oil and gas resources. Wind generators are easy to install and require less maintenance as there are only two moving parts. A boom in the national economy demands an increase in energy and thus, alternate energy sources must be tapped into immediately.
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