LAHORE: Pakistan is the only emerging economy relying constantly on similar energy sources. According to the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) sources, emerging countries such as India, China, Brazil, and South Africa have steadily enhanced their energy sources, differentiating into cleaner and effective energy sources.
Amongst all these countries, Pakistan is the only country where thermal, hydropower and nuclear power plants are the constituents of the hybrid electric industry in Pakistan, consisting of 31% natural gas, 29% hydro, 16% coal, 14% furnace oil, 5% renewable (solar and wind), 3% nuclear, and 1% other sources (Bagasse, waste heat recovery, etc.).
They said the electricity production sources mainly comprise of thermal energy (oil and gas) hydropower and nuclear power. Presently, they added, coal and renewable energy are performing a minor part. The recognized renewable energy sources are generally wind energy, solar energy and biomass.
The sources said the electricity generation in Pakistan is mainly concentrated on non-renewable resources. Fossil fuels supply a major portion of electricity production in the country. Fossil fuels are succeeded by hydropower, which is almost one-third of overall production, they added.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2019-20, the installed electricity generation capacity has reached 37,402 megawatt in 2020. It may be noted that the total installed capability to produce electricity as by February 2019 stood at 33,836 MW.
Nevertheless, the sources said, factually it has been established that capability extension continuously remains short behind of the objective. On the consumption side, per capita electricity consumption was 971 kWh annually for the year 2015-2016, which is one of the lowermost in the world.
In the future, according to the sources, the demand for electricity will augment in various segments, together with manufacturing, building, education, farming and significantly, in sustainable growth to lift economic division. Most of this supplied electricity is coming from thermal sources, which are also causing huge damage to the environment.
The installed capacity of electricity supply has enhanced predominantly in recent years. The difference between electricity generation and demand is basically a result of a circular debit problem in the supply chain system of electricity division.
It may be noted that the electricity supply is generally delivered by WAPDA, GENCOs, IPPs, KESC, and PAEC. IPPs, which are essentially oil and gas plants, provide a major installed capacity. The electricity supply network in Pakistan has been passing through an era of prolonged supply scarcity, extraordinary transmission and dispatch losses primarily because of high auxiliary consumption, electricity theft, and environmental issues linked with thermal power plants.
The electricity sector of Pakistan is also suffering due to poor operative and monetary performances of electric supply distribution companies. Lower electricity tariffs due to subsidy by the government in the domestic sector inspire the customers for extravagant usage of electricity, said PEPCO sources.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020