The
economic development is mainly dependent on Industrialization, and Industries
are linked with the energy resources of a country. Pakistan is undergoing
immense energy crises since last few decades, and if the problem is not
addressed shortly Pakistan could face dramatic results. The current production
of energy is 10,000 MW whereas the demand for energy in Pakistan is 18,000 MW.
So there is 8,000MW shortfall in the energy sector which affects both the
industrial and domestic sectors of the nation.
Government
of Pakistan claims to curb the energy crises by 2018. However, according to
some analysts this is quite impossible to overcome the shortfall within period
of 2 years and without any efficient energy production program. This shortfall
is somehow because of prevailing corruption in governmental level. Loans are
taken from IMF and/or World Bank to control energy crises but no efficient
allocations are there of such loans for energy sectors.
The
focus of Pakistan’s energy product is primary by thermal power projects, with
the help of Oil and Gas. About 63% of the total production of energy is
generated by thermal power plants. However, secondarily, Hydro Power plants
are also developed which generate about 29% of the total energy resource. Nonetheless, about 5-6% of energy is being
produced by Nuclear power project, i.e. Chashma 1 and Chashma 2. These nuclear
power reactor plants were built with the collaboration of China and Pakistan
Atomic Energy Commission, with the approval of International Atomic Energy
Agency. Total production capacity of both the units is 650MW of
electricity.
The
energy resources support industries of the nations that results in economic
growth. So the focus of Pakistan should be on building more Dams and power
projects to cope up with such energy shortfall to make a stable economy.
However, this might not be possible without controlling corruption and
improving tax collection centers.
Provincialism:
Another
stumbling stone in the way of energy production is provincialism where
provinces look for their personal interests rather than national interest. Same
goes in the case of Diamer-Bhasha Dam whose foundation stone has been laid in
2011. The capacity of this Dam upon completion would be 4500MW and approximate
completion time was 10 years i.e. in 2020. However, right after the initiation
of the project the KPK government negated this project because of certain
provincial interests, and till the date this project is still controversial and
Pakistan is still deprived from this bounty.
Controversial
Power Projects:
Neelam-Jeham
Hydro Electric Project was established in 1969. However due to water conflicts
with India on Kishanganga river it couldn’t constructed properly. This
hydroelectric power project would generate about 969MW of electricity.
Kalabagh
Dam is a proposed hydroelectric dam which was announced in the era of President
General Musharaf (2004) for the best interest of Pakistan. However, later in
2004 the federal minister of water and power Mr. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced
that the project has been nullified because of the immense opposition of KPK
and Sindh Government. The expected production capacity of Kalabagh Dam is 3600
MW. Even the worst flood of 2010 can be curbed with the help of Kalabagh Dam,
Said Yousaf Raza Gillana – Prime Minister.
Conclusion
and Recommendations:
It
has been established that the core reasons of energy crises in Pakistan are
corruption, lack of funds, lack of political will and provincialism. All of
these factors collectively leading Pakistan’s economy to stone-age. However,
these factors must be addressed in order to flourish the economy and industrial
sector of the nation. Following are some recommendation for efficient energy
production.
·
The primary focus should be on
hydroelectric power projects since they are cheaper, long lasting and have lesser
environmental effects, instead of thermal.
·
Pakistan must consider the Wind Projects
which is also another cheaper source of electricity generation. It is proposed
that if successful wind projects are installed, Pakistan would have been in
capacity to produce up to 50,000-150,000MW of electricity. This situation would
not only fitful the required level of energy but it would also make Pakistan
capable to export electricity.
·
Solar Energy projects are also efficient
way of electricity production, however, it is relatively expensive than that of
stated above.
·
Number of Dams must be increased in
order to enhance the power production.
·
The nullified project of Kalabagh Dam
must be reconsidered and negotiated with the provinces to get the best out of
National Interest.
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