Experts gather to discuss energy shortage

Coal-based power units unanimously agreed upon as best solution.

ISLAMABAD: Experts at a conference have underlined the need for taking steps to effectively explore and utilise natural resources especially coal to meet the country’s growing energy needs. Presenting Energy Vision 2030 at a conference titled, “Solutions for Energy Crisis”, organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Dr Shaukat Hameed Khan, Vice Chancellor Sir Syed CASE-Institute of technology said there was a grave dichotomy at the policy base which resulted in offering quick and effective solutions to the power shortage problem being faced by the country.

“The energy system was not attuned to technology which determined the demand and supply equation. There were home-grown solutions available and coal above every other resource offered a natural option, but planners had been neglecting these for over three decades now.” he added.

He estimated the country would need $210 billion in the next 20 years to meet the growing energy needs. Since mining of Thar coal could take a long time, he said, Pakistan should import coal for immediate use in place of diesel and furnace oil.

Salman Qaisrani, Director, Coal Water Slurry Combustion Technologies (CWST), during his presentation claimed that CWST offered the cheapest, quickest and most workable solution in the short and medium term as it was based on local coal reserves of Thar. The present thermal power units now using expensive imported furnace oil could easily be converted to use this formulated material which would reduce by one third the present cost of power in six months to one year.

Earlier, NA Zuberi, Managing Director, Private Power and Infrastructure Board, said the private sector was producing the bulk of the electricity (46 %) but shortage of fuel and funds was constraining generation growth. He said work was apace on the feasibility of Mega Power Parks based on imported and local coal. If these parks materialise the country’s energy shortage would end.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2013.

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