Pakistan asked to produce 30% of power from renewable sources
Power crisis likely to worsen with depleting hydrocarbon reserves
Representational image. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Pakistan should set the target of generating at least 30% of electricity from renewable energy resources in the next five to seven years as this is the only way for the country to tackle its power crisis which is expected to exacerbate with depleting hydrocarbon reserves and increasing fuel costs.
Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Chief Executive Officer Amjad Ali Awan stated this on Thursday while speaking at the inaugural session of the Third International Wind Energy Summit 2018.
Sindh plans to light 20,000 households with solar energy
“This is the current global trend as everyone concerned in the outside world including international agencies and donors are ready to fully support us,” he said. “So, there is no other viable option for us apart from working to develop and expand our renewable energy sector.”
He said Pakistan had to increase its reliance on renewable energy for power generation as, at present, indigenous resources of natural gas accounted for 24% of electricity produced in the country. “An alternative had to be found to replace the fast depleting gas resources,” he added.
“Re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) is being imported to lessen reliance on indigenous gas reserves.”
He pointed out that up to 63% of RLNG, which was being brought into the energy system of the country, was being used for power generation.
The AEDB chief stressed that power generation on the basis of RLNG was not a feasible option from the consumer point of view because the electricity produced had a higher tariff of up to Rs9.02 per kilowatt-hour.
Engineers stress the need to use hydropower energy
“Alternative sources of energy are the most viable option on the basis of which electricity is being generated all over the world with the lowest tariff for maximum economic benefit of the consumers,” Awan said. He revealed that countries like Germany and Denmark are generating over 60% of their electricity from alternative means.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2018.
Pakistan should set the target of generating at least 30% of electricity from renewable energy resources in the next five to seven years as this is the only way for the country to tackle its power crisis which is expected to exacerbate with depleting hydrocarbon reserves and increasing fuel costs.
Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Chief Executive Officer Amjad Ali Awan stated this on Thursday while speaking at the inaugural session of the Third International Wind Energy Summit 2018.
Sindh plans to light 20,000 households with solar energy
“This is the current global trend as everyone concerned in the outside world including international agencies and donors are ready to fully support us,” he said. “So, there is no other viable option for us apart from working to develop and expand our renewable energy sector.”
He said Pakistan had to increase its reliance on renewable energy for power generation as, at present, indigenous resources of natural gas accounted for 24% of electricity produced in the country. “An alternative had to be found to replace the fast depleting gas resources,” he added.
“Re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) is being imported to lessen reliance on indigenous gas reserves.”
He pointed out that up to 63% of RLNG, which was being brought into the energy system of the country, was being used for power generation.
The AEDB chief stressed that power generation on the basis of RLNG was not a feasible option from the consumer point of view because the electricity produced had a higher tariff of up to Rs9.02 per kilowatt-hour.
Engineers stress the need to use hydropower energy
“Alternative sources of energy are the most viable option on the basis of which electricity is being generated all over the world with the lowest tariff for maximum economic benefit of the consumers,” Awan said. He revealed that countries like Germany and Denmark are generating over 60% of their electricity from alternative means.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2018.