Systematic study of renewable energy–resource potential in Pakistan

Abstract

Earth does not have an equal distribution of energy sources. Electricity performs a major contribution in the socio-economic improvement and national development of nation. Energy is essential for all financial exercises. In 2008 the government of Pakistan paid almost 9 billion USD to fulfill the energy demand by importing the crude oil. After this Pakistan‟s national economy effected badly. Now Pakistan is facing and going through its most bad period of energy crisis. The sustainability of the energy sector is directly proportional to the economic sustainability of the country. The important task of this paper is to highlight the perspective of renewable energy in Pakistan. This paper contains the current situation and future plans of renewable resources like Solar, Wind, Hydel, Biogas, Geothermal energy. The total current capacity of operational projects is solar 100 MW, Wind 308 MW, Biogas 145 MW, 98 MW micro hydel. While the many projects are in different stages of the development like solar 856MW, wind 1146 MW, biogas 297 MW and micro hydel 2638 MW. This paper is also presenting the review about the renewable energy resources potential available in the country that is not exploited yet for the steady and reliable energy supply. This paper contains the information regarding the renewable energy which will be helpful for the government as well as for the stake holder of private sector, those who wants to invest in Pakistan for the renewable energy. The renewable energy resources are abundant and have great potentials that shows, Pakistan can minimize the energy gap between demand and supply in the future and overcome the energy crisis. This paper will be helpful for the government as well as the stake holders of national and international level