Power generation: LCCI chief lays stress on alternative fuels

Biomass, abundantly available in Pakistan, could be a vital source in future.

LAHORE: Conventional methods of power generation would not be able to meet the growing energy demand in the days to come and new ways would have to be found to run trade and industry, said Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Ijaz A Mumtaz.

Talking to a group of exporters, Mumtaz stressed the need of promoting alternative energy resources as reliance on conventional methods like thermal energy was one of the biggest reasons for the never-ending power crisis.

“A developing country like Pakistan cannot afford the electricity produced through oil. Fuel sources like coal, gas and atomic will have to be tapped quickly in addition to building big dams.”

The LCCI president said bioenergy was a versatile source that could be utilised to tackle the electricity challenge besides making a considerable positive contribution to the climate change phenomenon. “Biomass energy has the potential to convert a wide variety of wastes into clean energy besides being a substitute for the diminishing oil supplies,” he added.

“Bioenergy can play a vital role in producing carbon-neutral fuels of high quality, address environmental issues and foster sustainable development among poor communities,” Mumtaz said, highlighting the fact that a wide range of biomass resources particularly woody biomass and organic waste was available in Pakistan in abundance.

He underlined the need of holding special training sessions for technical people to highlight the latest trends in new alternative technologies and increase their efficiency.

“The desired results of our efforts could be doubled if the government’s support remains available for applying the research findings and replicating the successful models related to bioenergy from the modern world.”

He also called for an early construction of Kalabagh Dam to control devastating floods, poverty and hunger.

“The country has not built a dam in over four decades and more than 35 million acre feet of water is wasted that goes into the sea, which could otherwise have been used for irrigation and power generation,” lamented Mumtaz.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th,  2015.

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