english essay energy crisis in pakistan

Essay on “Energy Crisis in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS, Judiciary Examinations

• August 30, 2021
• Essay for CSS PMS and Judiciary Exam

This is an essay on “Energy Crisis in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS, and Judiciary Examinations. The energy crisis is the largest single drain on Pakistan’s economy. This crisis stems from a fuel mix transformation initiated two decades ago when power generation came to rely more on imported furnace oil than hydropower. The current energy crisis began to manifest itself in earnest by late 2007. So here is a complete Essay on “Energy Crisis in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS.

Introduction

• Energy, demand for all fields
• Cheap ways of producing Energy

Causes of Energy Crisis

• Lack of dams
• Inability to explore coal: 6th largest coal reserves in the world
• Lack of renewable energy sources
• The problem of circular debt
• Losses in transmission and distribution
• Wastage of energy
• Domestic and household consumption
• Aging of the equipment
• High cost of fuel
• Economic loss
• Agricultural loss
• Closure of industries
• Unemployment
• Social issues

Energy Policy (2013-2018)

Suggestions

Alternative sources of Energy

Nuclear power

• Building of darns
• Long term dams
• Medium-term dams
• Short term dams

Exploit the coal reserves

Regional gas and oil pipelines

IPI project

TAPI project

Updating the system of transmission and distribution

Essay on “Energy Crisis in Pakistan” for CSS, PMS, Judiciary Examinations

Energy is the lifeline of a nation. The economic engine and the wheels of industry, agriculture, and business need the energy to move forward. Pakistan faces a major energy crisis in natural gas, power, and oil. Power outages usually last 10-12 hours a day in the cities and more in the rural areas. This has left the industries of Pakistan (mainly agricultural, secondary and tertiary sectors) stunned and so they are unable to fully operate.

This has a very negative impact on the economy of the country. The demand for energy in Pakistan is huge, and cannot be fulfilled by electricity production based on oil. It can only meet 20% of our requirement through native production and the remaining oil is imported from the Gulf States and other countries. No major oil, the field has been discovered in the last three decades. It is clear that other alternative production methods must be considered to meet the demand. Most likely one that is cheap, considering the initial setup cost, and costs attached.

The second method of production we use is thermal (i-e using coal to produce electricity). Pakistan has been blessed with wealthy mineral resources, but the sad part is that we are too ign0rant to explore them. We are sitting on gold mines and yet we do nothing about it. Balochistan, for instance, is rich in all sorts of minerals and could be exploited heavily. If we could solve the feudal problems of the provinces, and let the national and international companies explore the area, we might solve our fuel problems too. But this is a precious non-renewable resource, so we need better options.

Another major option is hydroelectric power generation. This is the cheapest and most feasible way of producing electricity for our country. Two major energy dams in Pakistan are Tarbela and Mangla. If only the proposed Kalabagh darn would be constructed, 80% of our energy needs would be fulfilled. The best option is to construct this dam and take advantage of the natural hydrography of Pakistan to the maximum possible extent.

Wind power and solar power generation are good alternatives as well. Their initial costs are low when compared to other methods, and are definitely in the best interests of our country.

Following are the Causes of the Energy Crisis in Pakistan.

In Pakistan, no major dam was constructed after the completion of Mangle and Terbela Dams early I980s. Though the demand for electricity was increasing many governments came and completed their terms but neither government built darns which is the cheapest source of the energy. Pakistan needs to make Kalabagh darn and Basha dams but due to politicization and lack of dedicated politicians, Pakistan is confronting with the problem of the energy crisis. Electricity from hydel cost us Rs. 2-4 rupees per unit.

Pakistan is blessed with a large amount of coal. No serious work is done to explore coal for power generation. This complains that the coal quality is inferior. However, ·ready-made solutions are available to burn any type of coal. The government is looking for the private sector to play its role. In our opinion, the government itself should come forward and install the power plants on the site of coal mines only.

The government is not producing electricity from renewable sources of energy such as wind, solar, tidal, biogas, etc. Though Pakistan has maximum summers suiting for solar energy there are huge taxes which are paid while purchasing this technology. Through solar, Pakistan can produce up to 1,00,000 MW of electricity. Besides, wind energy has the potential of producing 50,000 MW of electricity but Pakistan is not producing from this cheapest source.

If serious work is done then the total shortage can be met from the Hydro and wind power sectors. It is also suggested that small loans should be provided to consumers to install small hydro and solar cells for one family usage of electricity.

One of the main reasons for the serious shortfall in the generation of thermal electricity 1s the problem of the “circular debt” which the present government inherited from the previous regime. In 2007, the government did not compensate the power companies for the subsidy that was being provided to consumers. The power companies in turn could not pay the oil and gas companies, reducing their liquidity to import the furnace oil that was needed to generate electricity.

The interim government , before the elections, in fact, forced the commercial banks to lend Rs34bn to the oil companies whose credit limits were already exhausted. This problem of “circular debt” became more serious in the summer of 2008, as petroleum prices jumped from $100 to $147 a barrel. It is really surprising that this problem has become the main cause of increasing load-shedding but has not so far been addressed on a priority basis. In 2015 the circular debt reached Rs.600 billion.

Very heavy line losses in transmission and distribution because of old and poorly maintained transmission systems, estimated at over 20 percent compared to eight to ten percent in other countries. Large-scale theft of electricity is clearly revealed by the growing difference between units generated or purchased and those paid for.

Wastage of energy by the industry consumes 30 percent of total electricity due to less efficient systems and other practices. For example, the Chinese consume 30 percent less electricity in textile mills because they use water partially heated by solar panels in their boilers. Overuse of energy by the transport sector (consuming 28 percent of total energy) due to old and poorly tuned engines.

Domestic and household consumption which uses 45 percent of total electricity also depicts wasteful and unnecessary uses of lights, air-conditioners, and large-scale illuminations on different occasions. The problems outlined above reveal many structural flaws in our energy system. These include over-dependence on imported energy, inadequate political will, limited financial support and very weak implementation capacity.

One very important reason attributed to this energy shortage is the aging of the generating equipment which could not develop the electricity as per the design requirement. This is the responsibility to continuously updating the equipment and keeping a high standard of maintenance. we sincerely think serious thought should be given for general overhaul and maintenance of existing equipment to keep them in good working order.

So far energy conservation is concerned, newspapers pay lip service in seminars. No serious thought is being given to utilize the energy at the optimum level. A new culture needs to develop to conserve energy. Sometimes on government level illiteracy is blamed for the failure of the energy conservation program. this is not true. Maximum energy is consumed by the elite class which controls all the resources of knowledge and communication. But for their own luxury, they themselves ignore the problem. Government should seriously embark on an energy conservation program.

Following are the effects of the energy crisis in Pakistan.

Energy is pivotal for running all other resources and the crisis of energy directly influences all other sectors of the economy. The economic progress is hampered by a decline in agricultural productivity as well as by halting operations of industries. One important factor of lower GDP and inflation of commodity prices in recent years is attributed to shortfalls in energy supply. Pakistan is facing a high cost of production due to several factors like the energy crisis, the hike in electricity tariff, the increase in interest rate, devaluation of Pakistani rupee, increasing cost of inputs, political instability , removal of subsidy & internal dispute.

Above all factors increase the cost of production which decreases the exports. Exports receipts decrease from$ 10.2B to$ 9.6B. The global recession also hit badly the textile industry. Double-digit inflation also caused a decrease in production in the textile sector.

The agricultural productivity of Pakistan is decreasing due to the provision of energy for running tube wells, agricultural machinery, and the production of fertilizers and pesticides. Thus higher energy means higher agricultural productivity.

Nearly all Industrial units are run with energy and breakage in energy supply is having dire consequences on industrial growth. As a result of the decline in energy supply, industrial units are not only being opened but also the existing industrial units are gradually closing.

By the closure of industrial units and less agricultural productivity, new employment opportunities ceased to exist, and already employed manpower is shredded by the employers to increase their profit ratios. Thus energy crisis contributes to unemployment.

Pakistan’s textile industry is going through one of the toughest periods in decades. The global recession which has hit the global textile really hard is not the only cause for concern. Serious internal issues including the energy crisis affected Pakistan·s textile industry very badly. The high cost of production resulting from an instant rise in energy costs has been the primary cause of concern for the industry.

The depreciation of the Pakistani rupee during last year has significantly raised the cost of imported inputs. Furthermore, double-digit inflation and the high cost of financing have seriously affected the growth in the textile industry. Pakistan’s textile exports in turn have gone down during the last three years as exporters cannot effectively market their products since buyers are not visiting Pakistan due to adverse travel conditions and it is getting more and more difficult for the exporters to travel abroad. Pakistan’s textile industry is lacking in research &development.

The production capability is very low due to obsolete machinery and technology. This factor is primarily related to the domestic usage of energy (cooking, heating, and water provision). Load shedding causes unrest and frustration amongst the people and results in agitation against the government.

The government has finally formulated the much-awaited National Energy Policy 2013-18. Under the policy, power sector subsidy will be phased out by 2018, and load-shedding will be ended by 2017. It aims at generating surplus electricity in 2018, privatizing government-owned power plants and a few power distributing companies (Discos), bringing the double-digit cost of power generation to a single digit, and restructuring the water and power ministry.

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), adjustment of outstanding dues owed by public and private organizations through federal adjusters, and formation of regional transmission and power trading system. The policy comprises seven points envisions a profitable, bankable, and investment-friendly power sector which meets the nation·s needs and boosts its economy in a sustainable and affordable manner while adhering to the most efficient generation, transmission, and distribution standards.

To achieve the long-term vision of the power sector and overcome its challenges, the government has set the following goals: Build a power generation capacity that can meet the country’s energy needs in a sustainable manner; create a culture of energy conservation and responsibility; ensure generation of inexpensive and affordable electricity for domestic, commercial and industrial use; minimize pilferage and adulteration in fuel supply; promote world-class efficiency in power generation; create a c.utting edge transmission network; minimize .financial losses across the systen1, and align the ministries involved in the energy sector and improve governance .

There are Various Methods to Solve the Energy Crisis in Pakistan.

Though wind, Pakistan has potentials of wind energy ranging from 10000 MW to 50000 MW, yet power generation through wind is in initial stages in Pakistan and currently 06 MW has been installed in the first phase in Jhampir through a Turkish company and 50 MW will be installed shortly. More wind power plants will be built in Jhampir, Gharo, Keti Bandar, and Bin Qasim Karachi.

Solar power involves using solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity, using sunlight hitting solar thermal panels to convert sunlight to heat water or air. Pakistan has the potential of more than 100,000 MW from solar energy. The building of solar power plants is underway in Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. However, private vendors are importing panels / solar water heaters for consumption in the market.

Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) is working for 20,000 solar water heaters in Gilgit Baltistan. Mobile companies have been asked by the government to shift the supply of energy to their transmission towers from petroleum to solar energy panels.

Biomass production involves using garbage or other renewable resources such as sugarcane, corn, or other vegetation to generate electricity. When garbage decomposes, methane is produced and captured in pipes and later burned to produce electricity. Vegetation and wood can be burned directly to generate energy, like fossil fuels, or processed· to form alcohols. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs from biomass/biodiesel in the world, followed by the USA. Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Pakistan has planned to generate 10 MW of electricity from municipal waste in Karachi followed by similar projects in twenty cities of the country.

Tidal power can be extracted from Moon-gravity-powered tides by locating a water turbine in a tidal current. The turbine can turn an electrical generator, or a gas compressor, that can then store energy until needed. Coastal tides are a source of clean, free, renewable, and sustainable energy. Plans are underway in Pakistan to harness tidal energy; however, no implementation has been made so far.

Nuclear power stations use nuclear fission reactions to generate energy by the reaction of uranium inside a nuclear reactor. Pakistan has a small nuclear power program, with 425 MW capacity, but there are plans to increase this capacity substantially. Since Pakistan is outside the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, it is excluded from trade in nuclear plants or materials, which hinders its development of civil nuclear energy. The remaining issues in the development of nuclear energy are an enrichment of uranium from U235 to U238, controlling chain reaction, and dumping of solid waste.

Pakistan has the potential for hydro resources to generate 41000 to 45000 MW, however, only 6555 MW is currently being generated by this important renewable resource. Four large hydropower dams namely Kalabagh 3600 MW, Bhasha 4500 MW, Bunji 5400 MW, and Dasu 3800 MW can be constructed to generate hydroelectricity. Similarly, many small to medium hydro plants can be installed on rivers and canals, etc.

The longer-term solution to the energy crisis will be to restore the hydro-thermal mix to 60:40 or at least 50:50 in the next five years. The Water Accord of 1991 had o~ened the way for constructing many dams to store water and generate electricity. But the continuing controversy over the KalabaghDam became a major obstacle. Surprisingly, even many smaller and non-controversial hydroelectric projects have been delayed without any justification.

The hydel projects in the pipeline include the following: Neelurn Jhelurn (969 MW), Tarbela Fourth Extension (960 MW), SukiKinari (840 MW), Munda Dam (700 MW), Khan Dubar (130 MW), Allai (126 MW), and Jinnah Hydroelectric power project (96 MW).

Pakistan has the world’s sixth-largest reserves of coal, after the recent discoveries in Thar. The total coal reserve in Pakistan is about 175 billion tons. The current coal production is only 3.5 million tons per year, which is mostly used for the brick and cement industry. Coal has typical problems, such as a high sulfur content (it produces sulfur dioxide, the source of acid rain), mineral matter content (leading to ash and pollution problems), carbon dioxide emission (contributing to global warming), and high moisture content.

However, technologies are available to minimize all of these. Conversion technologies are currently under development to convert coal into environmentally-friendly methanol and hydrogen gas to be used as a clean fuel. The US is working on a major initiative called future gen to produce “zero-emission” power plants of the future. Thar coal can be cleaned and the sulfur reduced so that it can be burnt in conventional coal power plants and also convened into gas. Coal gasification is a slightly more expensive process, but the gas from coal is a proven and cleaner technology. The Chinese had prepared a feasibility report in 2005 to produce 3,000 MW at 5.8 cents per unit, but the project could not move forward because they were offered only 5.3 cents.

There are also many possibilities of regional cooperation in building gas and oil pipelines. These include the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline; the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline; an oil, gas, and electricity corridor from Gwadar to Western China, the import of 1,000 MW electricity from Ragun hydro station in Tajikistan for which an agreement was signed in March 1992 at the rate of 3.3 cents per unit.

The worldwide electricity production, as per the World Bank, is as follows; coal: 40 percent; gas 19 percent; nuclear 16 percent; hydro 16 percent; oil seven percent. Pakistan’s power production is gas 48 percent; hydro 33 percent; oil 16 percent; nuclear two percent, and coal 0.2 percent. There has been a global trend to shift away from oil because of its rising price expected to reach $100 a barrel by the end of this year depending on the international geopolitical situation.

Despite the lowest cost of hydroelectric power, there have been environmental, ecological, and geopolitical concerns over the building of large dams. The supply of natural gas in Pakistan has been depleting over the years, and the country is now looking at the option of imponing gas from Qatar and Central Asia. This leaves the possibility of exploring nuclear, coal, and other alternative energy sources.

Nuclear energy and coal form the lowest source of power production in Pakistan. On the other hand, the world average for nuclear energy is 16 percent and for coal 40 percent. Let us first consider these two potential sources of electric power production for Pakistan. The US obtains 20 percent of its electric power from; clear. energy with 104 reactors; France 78 percent with 59 reactors, Japan 24 percent with 54 re~tors, the UK 23 percent with 31 reactors, and so on. Even India has signed a civilian nuclear cooperation agreement with the United States to develop its nuclear capability for power generation and economic development . It has currently six reactors in operation with a capacity of 3750 MW, and another six with a capacity of 3,340 MW are under construction.

The new agreement will further boost the nuclear power generating capacity of India. Today, nuclear power plants have average capacities of 600-1,000 MW. Pakistan only produces two percent of its power through two reactors (Karachi and Chashrna at 137 MW and 300 MW respectively). Pakistan is a nuclear technologically advanced country with capabilities to produce fuel, yet falls behind most other countries, including India, in terms of nuclear power production. The US introduces 51 percent of its power using coal, Poland 96 percent, South Africa 94 percent, India 68 percent, Australia 77 percent, China 79 percent, Israel 77 percent, UK 35 percent, Japan 28 percent, while Pakistan produces only 0.2 percent of its power through coal.

In Pakistan, smaller windmills are now visible, such as the ones at Gharo, where SZABIST set up an experimental research station many years ago. The Sindh government has recently announced plans to build a 50 MW wind farm in the vicinity of the coastal region at Gharo. Solar power (photovoltaic or thermal) is another alternative energy source option that is generally considered feasible for tropical and equatorial countries. Even though the accepted standard is 1,000 W/m2 of peak power at sea level, an average solar panel (or photovoltaic – PV – panel), delivers an average of only 19- 56W/m2. Solar plants are generally used in cases where smaller amounts of power are required at remote locations. PV is also the most expensive of all options making it less attractive.

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Energy Crisis in Pakistan Essay: A Looming Challenge

• October 18, 2023

Energy plays a fundamental role in any nation’s progress, and Pakistan is no exception. In recent decades, Pakistan has been grappling with a severe energy crisis that has had far-reaching consequences on its economy, society, and environment. This essay delves into the intricacies of the energy crisis in Pakistan, its root causes, and the profound impact it has on the nation. Moreover, it outlines potential solutions, examines case studies from around the world, and sheds light on the challenges that impede progress. By the end, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the energy crisis in Pakistan and the steps needed to address it.

Causes of the Energy Crisis

Impact on the economy, society, and environment, the role of different energy sources, government policies and initiatives, effects on industries and manufacturing, impact on household and agriculture, unemployment and economic instability, energy affordability and access for the poor, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and contamination, ecological impact of energy projects, potential for renewable energy development, researched and statical data, improving energy efficiency and conservation, diversifying the energy mix, enhancing the energy infrastructure, reducing transmission and distribution losses, encouraging private sector involvement, promoting renewable energy sources, policy reforms and regulatory changes, examining successful energy initiatives in other countries, political challenges, economic constraints, technological limitations, public awareness and participation, anticipated improvements in pakistan’s energy sector, the role of innovation and technology, long-term energy sustainability goals, historical perspective on pakistan’s energy situation.

To comprehend the current energy crisis in Pakistan, it’s essential to trace its historical evolution. Over the years, Pakistan has faced a growing demand for energy, driven by its burgeoning population and industrialization. Initially, the country had a relatively stable energy sector. However, several factors contributed to the eventual crisis.

The energy crisis in Pakistan can be attributed to a multitude of factors:

• Insufficient Energy Production : One of the primary causes is the inability to generate an adequate amount of energy to meet the increasing demand. This stems from a lack of investment in the energy sector and outdated power generation facilities.
• Transmission and Distribution Losses : A significant portion of the energy generated is lost due to inefficient transmission and distribution systems. This not only exacerbates the crisis but also strains the economy.
• Dependence on Non-Renewable Energy Sources : Pakistan heavily relies on non-renewable energy sources, primarily fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil. The dependence on these finite resources makes the energy sector vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions.
• Economic and Political Factors : Economic challenges, including circular debt in the energy sector, have impeded progress. Political factors, such as policy inconsistency and governance issues, have also played a detrimental role.

The energy crisis has far-reaching consequences:

• Economic Impact : Frequent power outages disrupt industrial operations and lead to financial losses. This hampers economic growth, foreign investment, and job creation.
• Social Implications : Households and agricultural activities suffer due to power cuts, impacting the quality of life. Access to reliable energy becomes a privilege, rather than a basic necessity.
• Environmental Consequences : Overreliance on fossil fuels results in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, energy projects often have adverse ecological effects.

The energy crisis in Pakistan is a complex issue with multifaceted causes and consequences. Addressing it requires a comprehensive understanding of the nation’s energy landscape.

Energy Demand and Supply Gap

As of the present day, Pakistan continues to grapple with a significant energy demand and supply gap. The rapidly growing population and increasing industrialization have driven up the need for electricity and other forms of energy. Unfortunately, the country’s energy production has not kept pace with this rising demand.

To understand the current energy scenario, it’s essential to examine the role of various energy sources:

• Fossil Fuels : Pakistan predominantly relies on fossil fuels for its energy needs. Coal, natural gas, and oil power a significant portion of the country’s energy grid. However, this dependence on non-renewable sources makes Pakistan vulnerable to international price fluctuations and supply disruptions.
• Renewable Energy : Although Pakistan has made strides in harnessing renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, and solar power, their contribution to the overall energy mix remains relatively small. Embracing renewable energy is pivotal to achieving a more sustainable and diversified energy landscape.

The Pakistani government has taken several steps to address the energy crisis:

• Power Generation Projects : Various power generation projects have been initiated to increase the capacity and reduce the demand-supply gap. Investments in modern and efficient power plants have been made.
• Energy Conservation Measures : Efforts to promote energy conservation and efficiency include encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances, improving building codes, and implementing energy-saving practices in industries.
• International Collaborations : Pakistan has sought international assistance and collaborations to bolster its energy sector. Agreements with other countries for the construction of power plants and infrastructure development have been established.

Despite these initiatives, the energy crisis persists, and comprehensive measures are required to bridge the gap between demand and supply.

Socioeconomic Consequences

we will explore the socioeconomic consequences of the energy crisis in Pakistan and its environmental implications, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of the problem and its pervasive impact on society and nature.

The energy crisis in Pakistan has taken a heavy toll on the industrial and manufacturing sectors. Power outages disrupt production processes, leading to financial losses and hampering economic growth. Industries struggle to meet deadlines, which can deter foreign investment and hinder the creation of new job opportunities. As a result, the lack of reliable energy has become a significant roadblock to industrial development and economic stability.

For the average citizen in Pakistan, the energy crisis translates into daily inconveniences. Frequent power cuts disrupt daily life, affecting everything from household chores to education and entertainment. In rural areas, where agriculture is a vital source of livelihood, irregular access to electricity impedes irrigation and the use of modern farming equipment. Crop yields are affected, leading to food security concerns.

The energy crisis also has repercussions on employment. Reduced industrial output and limited job opportunities in the manufacturing sector have contributed to unemployment. Moreover, the economic instability resulting from the crisis discourages investment and business growth, further exacerbating the unemployment issue.

Energy affordability is a critical concern. As energy costs rise due to the energy crisis, the poorest segments of the population struggle to meet their basic energy needs. Access to electricity and clean cooking fuels remains a challenge for many, perpetuating poverty and inequality.

The socioeconomic consequences of the energy crisis in Pakistan are profound and multifaceted, affecting individuals, industries, and the nation’s overall economic stability.

Environmental Implications

In the following we will delve into the environmental implications, including air pollution, water usage, and ecological impact, which are an integral part of this crisis.

One of the most pressing concerns related to Pakistan’s energy crisis is the environmental impact. The heavy reliance on fossil fuels, especially in the power generation sector, leads to significant air pollution. Emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides from these sources contribute to poor air quality in many urban areas.

The emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, from the burning of fossil fuels exacerbates global climate change. Pakistan, like the rest of the world, is experiencing the consequences of a changing climate, including more frequent and severe weather events.

Energy production in Pakistan often involves water-intensive processes. Hydroelectric power generation, for example, relies on water reservoirs, which can impact local ecosystems and water availability. Additionally, the extraction and processing of fossil fuels can contaminate water sources, posing risks to both the environment and public health.

Large-scale energy projects, whether they involve the construction of dams for hydroelectric power or coal-fired power plants, often have direct ecological consequences. Dams can alter river ecosystems and impact aquatic life, while coal mining and power plants can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and long-term environmental degradation.

Transitioning to renewable energy sources offers a path to mitigate many of these environmental concerns. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power have a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to fossil fuels. Embracing these sustainable alternatives can reduce air pollution, water usage, and ecological impact while also contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

Pakistan has been facing an energy crisis for over a decade, which has had a significant impact on the country’s economy and people’s livelihoods [4] . Here are some researched and statistical data related to the Pakistan energy crisis:

• Pakistan started to face severe electricity shortages in 2006, which have worsened over time [1].
• Pakistan’s electricity shortfall is currently around 5,000 megawatts (MW) per day, and the gas shortfall is 2 billion cubic feet per day [5] .
• The energy crisis has been a major drag on the economy, with an estimated cost of 10% of the GDP over the past 5 years [4].
• The energy shortages are estimated to cost around 2% of GDP annually [5].
• The electricity demand in Pakistan has been increasing rapidly, and the country does not produce enough energy to meet demand [3].
• The renewable energy sector in Pakistan has been growing, and it has been suggested as a remedy for the energy crisis [1].
• Pakistan has a significant potential for renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydropower [4].
• The government of Pakistan has been pursuing short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to address the energy crisis [3].
• The energy crisis in Pakistan has been a possible source of regional conflict [3].
• https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2424
• https://www.iea.org/countries/pakistan
• https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW79_Pakistans_Energy_Crisis.pdf
• https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/1/423
• https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR375-Pakistans-Power-Crisis-The-Way-Forward.pdf

[1] https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/9/2424 [2] https://www.iea.org/countries/pakistan [3] https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/PW79_Pakistans_Energy_Crisis.pdf [4] https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/1/423 [5] https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/SR375-Pakistans-Power-Crisis-The-Way-Forward.pdf [6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211467X2200013X

Solutions and Recommendations

In the following, we will explore potential solutions to the energy crisis in Pakistan, including strategies to improve energy efficiency, diversify the energy mix, enhance infrastructure, and promote renewable energy sources. Addressing these environmental concerns is an integral part of any comprehensive solution to the crisis.

Efforts to improve energy efficiency and conservation are pivotal in addressing the energy crisis. This includes:

• Promoting Energy-Efficient Technologies : Encouraging the use of energy-efficient appliances, industrial processes, and building designs can significantly reduce energy consumption.
• Energy Audits and Management : Conducting energy audits and implementing effective energy management systems in industries and institutions can identify areas of waste and inefficiency.

To reduce Pakistan’s vulnerability to fossil fuel price fluctuations and supply disruptions, diversification of the energy mix is essential. This involves:

• Expanding Renewable Energy : Scaling up the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower can provide a more stable and sustainable energy supply.
• Nuclear Energy : Exploring the potential for nuclear energy can provide a reliable source of power, though this comes with its own set of challenges, including safety and waste management.

Investing in infrastructure improvements is crucial for ensuring a reliable energy supply. This includes:

• Upgrading Transmission and Distribution Systems : Reducing losses in the transmission and distribution of electricity can help bridge the demand-supply gap.
• Grid Modernization : Implementing a modern smart grid system can improve energy distribution and reduce waste.

A significant portion of the energy crisis is due to losses in the transmission and distribution of electricity. Measures to address this issue include:

• Technical Upgrades : Modernizing and upgrading the existing infrastructure to minimize losses.
• Loss Monitoring and Management : Implementing systems to continuously monitor and manage losses to prevent theft and inefficiencies.

The private sector can play a crucial role in addressing the energy crisis. The government should create an enabling environment for private investment by offering incentives and removing regulatory barriers.

Government policies should encourage and support the growth of renewable energy:

• Incentives : Providing financial incentives, such as tax breaks and subsidies, to entities investing in renewable energy projects.
• Net Metering : Implementing net metering policies to allow individuals and businesses to feed excess renewable energy back into the grid.

Addressing the energy crisis in Pakistan requires significant policy reforms:

• Energy Pricing : Rationalizing energy prices to reflect true costs can reduce inefficiency and wastage.
• Policy Consistency : Ensuring consistency in energy policies to attract investment and promote long-term planning.

Case Studies

In the following, we will explore international case studies to draw valuable lessons from successful energy initiatives around the world. These lessons can provide valuable insights for Pakistan as it works towards addressing its energy crisis.

To address the energy crisis in Pakistan, it’s valuable to draw insights from successful energy initiatives in other nations. Several countries have effectively managed their energy challenges and can serve as models for Pakistan’s energy reform efforts.

• Germany’s Energiewende : Germany’s transition to renewable energy, known as “Energiewende,” has shown that a commitment to renewables and energy efficiency can reduce carbon emissions and create a sustainable energy future.
• China’s Renewable Energy Expansion : China’s aggressive investment in renewable energy, particularly in solar and wind, demonstrates the potential for rapid growth in these sectors.
• Norway’s Hydroelectric Power : Norway’s extensive use of hydroelectric power provides a model for effective utilization of renewable energy sources, which Pakistan can also tap into given its geographical features.
• South Korea’s Nuclear Energy : South Korea’s experience in developing and managing nuclear power can offer insights into safe and efficient nuclear energy utilization.

By studying these case studies and adopting successful strategies, Pakistan can chart a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Challenges and Barriers

In this we will delve into the challenges and barriers that impede Pakistan’s progress in addressing the energy crisis. Understanding these challenges is crucial to developing effective solutions.

Political instability, lack of consensus on energy policies, and reluctance to implement necessary reforms can hinder progress. Addressing these issues requires strong leadership and bipartisan cooperation.

The economic challenges associated with circular debt, subsidies, and financial mismanagement in the energy sector are significant hurdles. Resolving these issues will require careful financial planning and structural reforms.

The outdated infrastructure and technology in the energy sector need substantial upgrades. Embracing modern technology and innovation is vital to enhancing efficiency and reducing losses.

Engaging the public in energy conservation and sustainable practices is essential. Public awareness campaigns and education can foster a culture of responsible energy use.

Future Outlook

In the final we will explore the future outlook for Pakistan’s energy sector, highlighting anticipated improvements, the role of innovation and technology, and long-term energy sustainability goals.

Despite the formidable challenges, there is room for optimism regarding Pakistan’s energy future. Several developments are expected to improve the energy landscape in the coming years:

• Investment : Increasing domestic and foreign investments in the energy sector, coupled with better financial management, can help alleviate economic constraints and spur infrastructure development.
• Policy Reforms : Ongoing policy reforms and consistency in energy policies can provide a conducive environment for the private sector and facilitate the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
• Technological Advancements : The integration of advanced technologies, such as smart grids and energy storage solutions, can enhance the efficiency and reliability of energy distribution.
• International Support : Collaborations with other nations and international organizations can bring expertise, funding, and technical assistance to Pakistan’s energy projects.

Innovation and technology will play a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s energy sector:

• Renewable Energy Innovations : Advances in solar and wind energy technologies are making these sources more affordable and efficient, making them increasingly viable for Pakistan’s energy needs.
• Smart Grids and Energy Storage : Smart grid technology can improve the management and distribution of energy, while energy storage solutions can help mitigate supply challenges.
• Clean Energy Research : Ongoing research into cleaner and more efficient energy production methods can accelerate Pakistan’s transition towards a more sustainable energy mix.

Looking ahead, Pakistan must establish long-term sustainability goals for its energy sector:

• Reducing Emissions : Committing to lower greenhouse gas emissions through the increased use of renewables and more efficient energy generation methods.
• Energy Access for All : Ensuring universal access to reliable and affordable energy, particularly for the underprivileged, is a crucial long-term goal.
• Resource Diversification : A diversified energy mix that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and promotes renewables is pivotal for long-term sustainability.

The energy crisis in Pakistan is a complex challenge with profound implications. However, with a strategic approach that includes policy reforms, technological innovation, and international collaboration, Pakistan can transition towards a more sustainable, reliable, and efficient energy system that benefits its economy, society, and environment. It is imperative for the nation to work towards these goals to secure a brighter energy future for its citizens.

Welcome to the official author account of words.pk! I am a passionate writer and researcher who loves exploring the rich and diverse culture of Pakistan. Through my writing, I aim to showcase the beauty and complexity of this vibrant nation, from its history and traditions to its art, music, cuisine, and more. With years of experience in blogging, and content creation, I have honed my skills in storytelling and crafting compelling narratives that captivate readers

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Fossil fuels dependency exacerbates Pakistan’s power crisis

• May 27, 2024 May 27, 2024 9:15 pm GMT

Outdated infrastructure, poor energy management, and financial constraints are driving the crisis

Ramna Saeed

Pakistan is currently facing a severe energy crisis characterised by electricity shortages and frequent load shedding or rolling blackouts, which has a detrimental impact on household activities , industries, and the overall economy. This crisis calls for an urgent need for sustainable energy-based solutions to address these challenges effectively.

The energy sector of Pakistan is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which account for 59–64 percent of the country’s total energy supply. This reliance on oil and gas not only results in high costs but also makes the country more susceptible to global price fluctuations. Reliance on fossil fuels also leads to carbon emissions and environmental degradation, which ultimately increase climate change challenges within the country.

Despite having an installed capacity of 41,557 MW, Pakistan still struggles with a power shortfall. The demand for electricity stands at 31,000 MW, leaving a deficit of 9,000 MW . This highlights inefficiencies and challenges faced by the power sector and addressing these challenges is crucial.

Reasons behind the electricity shortage

Despite having a substantial grid capacity, Pakistan faces significant challenges in its power sector, resulting in frequent shortages. One major issue is transmission losses, which occur when electrical power diminishes as it travels through wires or cables due to resistance. In Pakistan , these losses are alarmingly high at 18–20 percent, compared to five percent in the USA and China , and four percent in Malaysia .

Another critical factor is transmission constraints , which limit the flow of electricity through specific parts of the power grid. These constraints arise when the available capacity of transmission lines is insufficient to meet demand. Pakistan’s grid has a capacity of 22,000 MW, which is 9,000 MW less than the demand.

Consumer-related issues also contribute to the power shortage. The government subsidises electricity at PKR 6 (US Cents 2 ) per unit, creating a circular debt. The unstable tariff structure, where the production cost of PKR 14 (US Cents 5 ) exceeds the selling cost of PKR 11 , exacerbates the problem. Additionally, poor recovery rates, with only 80 percent of electricity costs being recovered and 20 percent of electricity being stolen from the grid, further burden the sector.

Omer Wazir . CC BY-SA 2.0 .

Governance issues have compounded these problems. Prior to 1994, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) was responsible for both energy production and distribution in Pakistan . Following restructuring in 1994, WAPDA was divided into approximately 20 entities with different roles within the energy sector. This decentralisation has led to a lack of coordination among these new entities, posting new challenges and worsening the smooth functioning of the sector.

Pakistan’s failure to create substantial energy demand due to insufficient industrialization also plays a role in the energy shortfall. As a result, the per capita cost of electricity remains high. Pakistan’s per capita electricity consumption is 478 kilowatt-hours (kWh) , significantly lower than the USA’s 12,702 kWh .

Mohammad Asad , who specialises in PhotoVoltaic Solar System and Renewable Energy, told Global Voices via WhatsApp:

The energy crisis in Pakistan stems from insufficient infrastructure, mismanagement, and heavy reliance on fossil fuels.

To address this, it is imperative for the government to prioritise the promotion of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power through initiatives like tax incentives, subsidies, and simplified regulations. Despite some positive steps like net metering policies and tariffs for renewable energy producers, challenges persist. For instance, the government’s low buying rate for solar energy , acts as a deterrent to potential investors. A recent proposal to end net metering faced public backlash, leading to the reversal of decision. This underscores the need for consistent energy policies.

Bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of investment security further hinder renewable energy uptake. Overcoming these challenges will require the implementation of stable, long-term policies and incentives to drive Pakistan’s transition to a sustainable energy future.

Laveet Kumar, who holds a PhD in Renewable energy, told Global Voices via WhatsApp:

Pakistan is currently grappling with a severe energy crisis marked by frequent power outages, gas shortages, and an overall imbalance between energy supply and demand. This crisis, driven by outdated infrastructure, poor energy management, financial constraints, and a heavy reliance on conventional energy sources which not only impacts the industrial productivity but also affects the daily lives of millions. In this context, recent policy changes such as the introduction of taxes on solar equipment and potential alterations to net metering are very concerning. Higher taxes on solar panels increase installation costs and slows down the sustainable energy transition.

Similarly, net metering which allows solar energy producers to feed surplus energy back into the grid for compensation proved to be a crucial incentive for solar users in Pakistan . Curtailing this policy would reduce the financial benefits of investing in solar energy, undermining efforts to enhance energy resilience and achieve environmental goals. To address these issues, the government should reconsider solar taxes, maintain net metering benefits, and implement subsidies and financial incentives to promote renewable energy. Additionally, improving the energy grid and resolving financial instabilities will also help in sustainable transition.

By addressing these policy gaps and fostering an environment that supports renewable energy, Pakistan can mitigate its energy crisis, ensuring a stable and sustainable energy future that supports economic growth and improves the quality of life for its citizens.

Pakistan’s power policy, particularly the Private Power Policy (1994), has been criticised for its focus on energy production without adequately addressing the responsibilities of selling and distribution, which remain with the government. This policy gap has further complicated the efficient management and distribution of electricity in the country.

Controversy over proposed solar tax

On April 27, 2024 , reports revealed that the government was considering imposing a tax on solar panels, which led to widespread controversy across the country.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) suggested a tax on both residential and commercial solar installations, setting the rate at PKR 2,000 per kilowatt for systems with a capacity of 12 kilowatts or higher. This proposal would result in a potential tax of PKR 24,000 ( USD 86 ) for a 12-kilowatt system.

However, a statement issued by the Power Division on April 28, 2024 , rejected the fixed tax on solar power installations. Concurrently, the federal government is reviewing solar panel prices, possibly aiming to reduce them, which could offset the economic impact of the proposed tax.

This proposal still requires the President’s approval and raises several uncertainties. Potential tariffs could discourage solar adoption and hinder Pakistan’s clean energy initiatives. The absence of government justifications for the tax could lead to public debate and scrutiny.

Balancing the promotion of green energy with economic impacts remains a significant challenge. Although the government has its reasons for the proposal, it is essential to weigh the potential benefits against the possible drawbacks. Taxes on solar panels have produced mixed results globally, making it crucial to find a balance between clean energy use and economic impact.

https:/ www.globalvoices.com

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Essay Outline: Energy Crisis in Pakistan: Consequences and Recommendations

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1 Energy as lifeline in modern countries 1.2 Brief review of international research on Pakistan’ energy crisis

2. Pakistan’s Energy Scenario

2.1 Energy Supply (94.65 kwh) 2.2 Energy consumption (70.1 kwh) (per capita 357.34 kwh)

3. Sources of energy Procurement in Pakistan

3.1 Non-Renewable Energy Sources and Current Projects 3.2 Renewable Energy Sources 3.3 Alternative energy Sources

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4. Issues Faced by Energy Sector

4.1 Policy Issues a) Adhoc policies and decisions (not goal oriented) b) Inadequate Institutional arrangement/Absence of single institution to monitor supply companies c) Shift towards expensive and unstable Thermal Energy d) Oil used for power generation e) Independent Power Plants (IPPs) and Rental Power Plants f) Provision of subsidiesed electricity to WAPDA & agricultural tube wells g) Lesser utilization of Thar coal and hydel power generation

4.2 Governance and Management Issues a) Poor governance by public and private sectors b) Power theft (line losses) c) Default in revenue recovery by public and private sectors d) Weak Regulatory body: NEPRA e) Politicization of mega projects: Kalabagh Dam

4.3 Technical Issues a) Inadequate maintenance and repair of power plants b) Dilapidated Transmission and distribution systems c) Imbalanced and imported resources based energy mix

4.4 Cost Issues a) Unaffordable and unsustainable energy

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5. Consequences of Energy Crisis

5.1 Economic Factors a) Closure of industries b) Flight of capital to overseas domains c) Shrinking Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) 5.2 Agricultural sector 5.3 Industrial sector 5.4 Social Factors a) Poverty and unemployment b) Destabilized health sector c) Chaos in society and political uncertainty d) Public trust erosion

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6. Recommendations

6.1 Short Term Measures (Within 6 months to 1 year) a) Resolution of circular debt b) Prompt implementation of NEPRA determined Tariffs c) Ensuring recovery of revenues from public sector d) Crackdown on energy/electricity theft e) Judicious energy usage and use of electricity saving devices f) Energy conservation campaigns and demand management g) Fostering niche markets for early commercialization of technologies

6.2 Medium Term Measures (within the next 5 years) a) Development of an integrated energy policy b) Allotment of funds to GENCOs for refurbishment of plants and transmission systems c) Promotion of renewable energy at household level and in off-grid remote areas d) Move to decentralized and distributed energy generation f) Utilization of copper transmission wires for rectifying line losses

6.3 Long Term Measures (within the next 10 years & beyond) a) Correction of the energy mix imbalance b) Improvement in governance and elimination of corruption c) Import of energy from Tajikistan through TAPI pipeline d) Establishment of alternative energy and power research development and testing facilities e) Development of global alliances to secure dependable supply chain relationships f) Adoption of environmentally suitable energy policies g) Enhance market potential and viability for international investors h) Tactful utilization of Pakistan’s geostrategic location by serving as an energy corridor i) Population control to decrease growing demand * Wilson Institute and Michael Kugelman’s reports on Energy Crisis in Pakistan j) Construction of hydel dams at strategic locations

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Improving energy resilience in pakistan could avert 175,000 deaths by 2030, unicef says, pakistan hot weather.

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A new study by the United Nations children’s agency says developing resilient energy systems to power health facilities in Pakistan could avert over 175,000 deaths by 2030.

UNICEF said improved energy resilience would also contribute $296 million to the country’s fragile economy over the next 20 years by reducing maternal, adult and infant mortality.

The study, conducted by UNICEF’s Economist Impact Unit and released Friday, comes as Pakistan is experiencing an intense heatwave that has sickened thousands of people, further burdening the country's health care system.

Temperatures in various parts of Pakistan soared as high as 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday. Authorities are urging people to stay indoors, hydrate and avoid unnecessary travel. Demand for power has surged because of the high temperatures, putting a strain on existing electricity sources.

UNICEF said resilient energy refers to reliable, flexible, accessible and quality power supplies that can withstand and recover quickly from unanticipated shocks, such as power outages and floods.

It said more resilient energy supplies for schools would reduce dropout rates and improve children’s learning so they can earn more in the future.

“Children depend on schools, health centers and safe drinking water for their survival, yet these facilities often don’t have the electricity supply to function optimally. As the current heatwave grips the country, electricity needs have skyrocketed, leading to shortfalls that can endanger children’s health,” said Abdullah Fadil, the UNICEF representative in Pakistan.

UNICEF said 3.5 billion people live without reliable power worldwide.

It said climate change is contributing to the disruption of generation and distribution of energy in Pakistan, where floods triggered by climate-induced monsoon rains in 2022 killed 1,739 people. It said almost half of the water infrastructure, such as storage tanks, wells and supply lines, was damaged by the floods.

This year, Pakistan recorded its wettest April since 1961 with more than double the usual rainfall for the month. Heavy rains last month killed scores of people and destroyed property and farmland .

Daytime temperatures in May have soared as much as 8 C (14 F) above average temperatures for the month over the last 20 years, raising fears of flooding in the northwest because of glacial melting.

UNICEF said it helped restore water systems for 350,000 people in 375 locations after the 2022 floods and has also implemented several solar electrification initiatives in Pakistan.

“Pakistan has an abundance of renewable resources and by investing in them we are tapping into a goldmine to help children,” Fadil said. "We need the private sector to play a bigger role as public sector resources will not be enough. This is everybody’s business.”

© KnowledgeIdea.com

Energy crisis in pakistan & its causes, created by editorial board, energy crisis in pakistan :.

Energy crisis has become the most critical issue all over the world. But energy crisis in Pakistan has affected our lives very badly. In cities, we have 12 to 18 hours load shedding, while in villages the situation is even the worst. Furthermore, in winter, we have storage of ‘Sui’ gas too. Energy is just like a blood in the body of modern economy. Let us discuss the causes, effects and possible solution of this situation.

Causes of Energy Crisis :

During the last three decades, we had not built new dams and water reservoirs. We did rely on thermal units. These units are run by oil and gas. The oil prices are soaring higher and higher and no stability is seen in near future. On the other hand, gas reserves are getting short in supply. So, supply is decreasing whereas the demand is increasing, because of growing population. All these things have worsened the situation.

Energy Crisis Effects :

Shortages of energy and load shedding have cast negative effects on our lives. Especially, our economy has been hit hard. Our export orders are not fulfilled in time. Many of the factories and industrial units have been closed. Thus millions of workers have been unemployed. People in home have become the victims of many psychological diseases. During demonstration on roads against the government and power companies, some of them damage public property.

To come out of this horrible situation, we will have to take steps on two levels, Short term and long term. In short term, we should adopt such policies as could run our economy on priority basis. We should also try to save energy. The government should make new agreements with Iran and central Asian republics for cheap energy.

In the long run, we must shift our reliance on hydro projects from thermal projects. The coal reserves of “Thar” can also be used for cheap electricity. If we do not realize the seriousness of this crisis, it can further worsen the situation. So, remedial measures on war-footings must be taken to cope with this giant problems.

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BA English Essay: Energy crisis in Pakistan

Pakistan is experiencing the worst economic crisis since its creation. Factories and power looms are being closed down and the people do not have any idea what to do. There are many factors which have contributed towards the energy crisis and the government has failed miserably in solving this problem of load shedding.

Pakistan has been unable to build any major dam in the country. The population has been increasing very rapidly since 2000 and no government has started the work on the proposed Kalabagh Dam in the region. As the population has been increasing the electricity demand has also increase but the supply has remained the same. Lack of education has made people ignorant and heartless. People do not care to turn off the light in the room they are not sitting and they regard it a thing of pride to overuse electricity.

There are three other major reasons for the energy crises. They are circular debt, mismanagement of resources and corruption. A significant amount of electricity in Pakistan is produced by oil. Failure to pay the oil companies results in the low supply which results in energy crisis. The power plants, operating in Pakistan, are either not operating on their full capacity or they are not even running. We all talk about the corruption done by the government officials, but we never talk about the corruption done the citizens who are perceived as innocent Pakistanis. At least 50% of Pakistanis are either not giving the electricity bill or are bribing the officials to reduce the amount of the bill.

There have been serious repercussions of the energy crisis. Everyone in Pakistan has been badly affected by the energy crisis. There was a common belief that only the poor people in Pakistan suffer, but energy crisis has also destroyed the lives of the rich people. Students are not able to learn or concentrate on their studies as the attention is diverted because of the 12-hour load shedding.  Industrialists have started relocating their industries to Bangladesh as it is no longer feasible for them to run their businesses in Pakistan. People belonging to the middle class are having great difficulty in finding the jobs because all the major businesses are either shutting down or making their employees redundant.

It is both the duty of government and the citizens to use electricity with care and denounce all those people who are involved in this corruption. Government, with its resources, can punish all the culprits severely so that a precedent is set no one could ever gain dare to steal electricity.

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Tag: BA English Essay: Energy crisis in Pakistan

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BA English Essay: How to solve energy crisis in Pakistan?

How to solve energy crisis in Pakistan? Energy is the bloodline of a country’s economy. A continuous and sufficient energy `supply can ensure a healthy and progressive economy. Pakistan is passing through the challenging phase of electricity scarcity but right steps taken with an honest intention can lead us to …

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Essay / Paragraph on Energy Crisis in Pakistan

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Kenyan President’s State Visit: An Antidote to U.S. Troubles in Africa?

The White House is hosting President William Ruto of Kenya for a state dinner this week, an embrace that both countries urgently need.

By Declan Walsh

Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya

As other African nations move away from the United States, disillusioned with democracy or lured by rival powers, President William Ruto of Kenya arrives in Washington on Wednesday for a three-day state visit intended to showcase a stalwart American ally on the continent.

A spate of military coups , shaky elections and raging wars have upended Africa’s political landscape in the past year, giving an edge to American rivals like Russia and China, but also shredding Washington’s key selling point: that democracy delivers.

In Niger, a recently installed military junta has asked American troops to leave . Relations with once-firm American allies like South Africa and Ethiopia are decidedly cool. A recent election in Senegal , long considered a beacon of stability, nearly went off the rails .

Mr. Ruto, the Biden administration hopes, is the antidote to those troubles.

Since he came to power two years ago, Mr. Ruto, 57, has pulled Kenya, the economic powerhouse of East Africa, ever closer to the United States. His visit is just the sixth state visit hosted by the Biden administration, and the first for an African president since 2008.

In some respects, President Biden is atoning for a broken promise. At a high profile Africa summit in Washington in December 2022, Mr. Biden declared he was “all in” on Africa, and pledged to make a visit to the continent in the following year. The trip never materialized.

In choosing Mr. Ruto, the Biden administration is confirming that it views the Kenyan leader as one of its closest security, diplomatic and economic partners in Africa.

The two countries cooperate closely to fight militants with Al Shabab in Somalia. American corporate giants like Google have sizable operations in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, which is also a hub of diplomatic efforts to end the chaos in neighboring countries like Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Very soon, Kenya is expected to start deploying 1,000 paramilitary police officers to help quell unrest Haiti — a dangerous mission largely funded by the United States and one which runs significant political risks for Mr. Ruto if Kenyan personnel are injured or killed.

And Mr. Ruto has adroitly garnered American support for his outspoken advocacy on global issues like debt relief, reform of international financial institutions and climate change, on which he is attempting to carve out a reputation as Africa’s leading statesman.

“We live the nightmare of climate change every day,” he said in an interview with The New York Times on Sunday, hours before he flew to the United States. Nearly 300 Kenyans died in the past month as heavy rains lashed the country , causing floods that forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

“A year ago we were deep in drought,” he said during the interview, speaking in an open pavilion next to State House, his official residence in Nairobi, as thunder rolled and more rain fell. “This is the case of many countries on the continent.”

It’s not many years since Mr. Ruto was considered part of the problem in Kenya. A decade ago he was on trial at the International Criminal Court , facing accusations of orchestrating post-election violence that left over 1,100 Kenyans dead. At the trial, his lawyer was Karim Khan, currently the court’s prosecutor. The United States backed the prosecution, seeing it as a chance to end impunity in Kenya’s political class.

But the trial collapsed in 2016, after witnesses disappeared or changed their testimony, and Mr. Ruto’s electoral triumphs eclipsed the trial at home: He was elected vice-president in 2013 and 2018, and then president in 2022.

“So much was said about who we were in that episode,” he said, referring also to former President Uhuru Kenyatta who faced similar charges. “But doesn’t it strike you that finally we were elected by the same people we were being accused of harming? That tells you the whole narrative was false.”

An American official, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said that Mr. Ruto had been privately urged to confront indirectly what was described as his “I.C.C. hangover” early into his visit. At his first speech on Monday, at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Museum and Library in Atlanta, he vowed to keep Kenya “on the path of an open society, strongly committed to greater accountability and transparency, with robust engagement of civil society.”

Mr. Ruto also needs the trip to succeed. As he has made about 50 foreign trips since 2022, gathering support for his ideas, his popularity at home has plunged. Faced with a crippling debt crisis — Kenya owes about $77 billion — Mr. Ruto introduced tax hikes that brought cries of protest from his citizens.

Some Kenyans call him “Zakayo,” in reference to the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus. The reference makes him smile. “I have been very candid with the people of Kenya that I cannot continue to borrow money,” he said, predicting he would eventually win over his critics.

Still, time is running short, and Mr. Ruto’s big idea for turning around the economy is to ride the wave of green energy. Over 90 percent of Kenya’s energy comes from renewable sources — mostly wind and geothermal springs — a natural advantage Mr. Ruto hopes to leverage to convert Kenya into an industrial powerhouse.

He wants foreign companies to move to Kenya, where their products would be carbon neutral. He is also selling Kenya as an enormous carbon sink, tapping into the nascent industry of sucking carbon from the atmosphere, then burying it deep in the rock formations of the Rift Valley.

“ How do we move Africa from a continent of potential to a continent of opportunity and finally to a continent of investment?” he said. Last month, Microsoft and two other firms announced they were building a 1 gigawatt data center, powered by renewable energy in Naivasha, 40 miles northwest of Nairobi.

Still, Mr. Ruto’s embrace of Washington and democracy are not universally popular in Africa. Disillusionment with sham elections and corrupt elites has fed young people’s support for recent military coups in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

“There is a perception that democracy hasn’t delivered, that elites which had come to power through elections were not delivering,” said Murithi Mutiga, Africa director at International Crisis Group. Yet, he added, Kenya’s example of stability and steady growth proved that while democracy can be “messy, difficult, noisy and tough,” it still works.

Mr. Ruto is scheduled to spend much of Wednesday with members of Congress. On Thursday he lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery before meetings with Mr. Biden and a state dinner at the White House. The pomp and prestige is a major prize for a first-term president who, critics charge, has a strong authoritarian streak.

Last year Mr. Ruto launched public attacks on judges whose rulings obstructed his policies, reviving fears he could eventually take Kenya down an authoritarian route.

And like other African leaders, he is not afraid to play the field of foreign suitors.

Last year, to American dismay, Mr. Ruto hosted President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran, who was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday, and foreign minister Sergei V. Lavrov of Russia. In October, Mr. Ruto flew to Beijing for a three-day state visit to China.

Mr. Ruto dismissed the suggestion that he is a darling of the West, or anyone else.

“This is not about taking sides,” he said. “It’s about interests. There’s absolutely no contradiction to working with different countries. It’s just common sense.”

  More about Declan Walsh

Implications of The Energy Crisis For Pakistan

• Hamail Syed
• January 14, 2024
• CSS , CSS Essays , CSS Solved Essays

CSS & PMS Solved Essays | Implications of The Energy Crisis For Pakistan

Hamail Syed, a Sir Syed Kazim Ali student, has attempted the CSS & PMS essay “Implications of The Energy Crisis For Pakistan” on the given pattern, which Sir  Syed Kazim Ali  teaches his students. Sir Syed Kazim Ali has been Pakistan’s top English writing and CSS, PMS essay and precis coach with the highest success rate of his students. The essay is uploaded to help other competitive aspirants learn and practice essay writing techniques and patterns to qualify for the essay paper.

1-Introduction

If the energy crisis in Pakistan is not dealt sagaciously, the country might experience a halt in the functioning of the agricultural, education, and health sectors. That can ultimately lead the country to economic downfall, rising inflation, increasing food shortages, and halting the work of research institutes and hospitals.

2-The significance of energy security for a country 

3-An overview of the current energy profile of Pakistan

4-Implications of the energy crisis for Pakistan 

4.1-Economic implications  

• Evidence:  According to the Asian Development Bank, “Sri Lanka now imports $3 billion more than it exports yearly, which is why it ran out of foreign currency.”
• Evidence:   Venezuela,  the country with the highest inflation in the world, with an increase in consumer prices estimated at 360 percent in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

4.2-Social implications  

• Evidence:  Numerous patients died in Al-Shafi Hospital in Gaza as incubators for premature babies and ICU devices for oxygen needed fuel to operate, but the hospital ran out of fuel. 
• Evidence:  The significant reduction in agricultural production in Somalia, compounded by the rising prices of fuel and essential food items, has resulted in a food crisis in the country.

4.3-Educational implications 

• Evidence:  According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “The looming energy crisis and ongoing inflation could soon increase the pressure on academic research to find ways to save money and energy.”
• Evidence:  According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Report, 2022, “Pakistan’s education budget is 2.8% of its total GDP; it is still well short of the 4% target.”

 4.4-Psychological implications  

• Evidence:  In 2015, violent protests erupted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad over prolonged load shedding during Ramadan. 
• Evidence:  “ In 2023, over a hundred protests were staged in South Africa due to the extreme energy insecurity in the country,” according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

 4.5-Environmental implications  

• Evidence:  According to Bioenergy Europe, a research institute, “Using solid fuels for heating releases pollutants, including dioxins, which damage lungs and exacerbate asthma.
• Evidence:  Due to the prolonged energy crisis, massive deforestation has been seen in the Brazilian Amazons in 2023

5-Recommendations to overcome the ongoing energy crisis 

• ✓ To focus on using renewable energy resources at their maximum level. 
• ✓ To upgrade the energy infrastructure. 
• ✓ To curb the electricity theft. 

6-Critical Analysis 

7-Conclusion

Energy is the backbone of economic prosperity, and it plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of any country. It is essential for lighting up cities, powering vehicles, facilitating agriculture, and running industries. Without it, the progress of a country can come to a screeching halt. Undoubtedly, the entire world is crippled by an energy crisis, but as a matter of fact, the poor and most vulnerable are likely to suffer the most; therefore, developing countries are engulfed in the deep energy crisis. Unfortunately, like developing states, Pakistan has been grappling with a severe energy crisis for a long time, and the situation seems to be worsening daily. The recent data from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) shows that power generation dropped by 5% in December 2022 in Pakistan, and the gap between the demand and supply of power is still huge. Certainly, the energy crisis, if not addressed timely, has the potential to halt the functioning of the agricultural sector, education sector, and health sector of the country, ultimately leading to economic downfall, rising inflation, increasing food shortages, and halting the work of research institutes and hospitals in the country. However, the state can avoid such implications by adopting effective policies like the use of renewable energy sources. It is high time that the government took this issue seriously and addressed it urgently. The future of Pakistan’s progress depends on it.

Before analyzing the implications of the energy crisis, light has been shed on the  importance of energy security  for a country. Energy, the lifeblood of the modern economy, is central to almost its every day’s economic activity, from manufacturing to transport to schooling to communicating; hence, it is integral to a country’s development. Furthermore, energy security is vital for economic, social, and environmental domains. Unquestionably, energy security is essential to economic growth as it fuels industrial activity, empowers the business sector, and attracts foreign direct investment in a country.  As per the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Report, 2022, “France is the most energy-sufficient country with a score of 74.5 out of 100.”  The fact highlights that energy sufficiency has a direct link with economic prosperity. As France is an energy-sufficient state, its economy is also strong enough to lead the nation towards progress. Besides that, energy security is also crucial for social stability because energy supplies are essential to support human activities like transportation, cooking, heating, etc. In short, energy security brings stability to a country. 

At present , Pakistan suffers from an acute energy crisis; its available domestic energy supplies are dwindling, and as a result, Pakistan relies on expensive energy imports that strain its feeble economy. In addition, the country’s generating capacity falls well below demand due to heavy reliance on oil, circular debt, and transmission losses.  According to the Research and Advocacy for the Advancement of Allied Reforms (Raftaar) Report, “The average shortfall in the power sector is 4,000 megawatts and nearly two billion cubic feet per day in the natural gas sector.”  The report highlights the severe energy shortage in the country. Moreover, the energy crisis disrupts the country’s socio-economic development, as it has halted industrial growth. Dr. Afia Malik, an energy expert at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), said, “Pakistan’s energy deficit has been a longstanding issue, causing power shortages, hampering industrial growth, and affecting the quality of life for its citizens.” Hence, Pakistan’s energy sector is in trouble, putting obstacles to the state’s economic growth. 

Amid the global era of competition among states regarding socio-economic advancements, the ticklish implications of the ongoing energy crisis cast a long shadow over Pakistan, having the tendency to affect its economic, social, educational, psychological, and environmental spheres. Some of them will be brought under discussion. To begin with the economic implications  of the power crisis for Pakistan, the first and foremost is the risk of  state bankruptcy . Indeed, energy is like oxygen for the survival of the industrial sector. The interrupted or expensive energy supply to the country’s industrial sector may force its industries to curtail output or even shut down. Unfortunately, this will impede its economic growth as its factories will no longer be able to boost its exports, making it dependent on imports. Indeed, the import-led economy of the country may make it bankrupt. The same is the case with Sri Lanka’s economy.  According to the Asian Development Bank, “Sri Lanka now imports $3 billion more than it exports yearly, which is why it ran out of foreign currency and announced sovereign default.”  Considering the statistics above, Pakistan may also become bankrupt as its industrial sector is in a state of emergency due to the continuous energy constraint, thus making its economy dwindle.

The  second economic implication  of the energy crunch for Pakistan is the risk of  skyrocketing inflation.  Increased gas, electricity, and petrol costs affect households and influence almost all goods and services. Therefore, the country may face a new wave of high inflation due to the current fuel crisis, as witnessed in  Venezuela. The country with the highest inflation in the world has experienced an increase in consumer prices estimated at 360 per cent in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  This statistic reflects that the power crunch has the potential to jolt the economy of a state by increasing the prices of every good and service. In addition, Pakistan is the world’s fifth-most populous country. Its power demand is proliferating, as is its reliance on fossil fuels. Therefore, importing non-renewable energy resources will further engulf its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), resulting in skyrocketing inflation.

Furthermore, the fuel crisis also offers some eye-opening  social implications  for Pakistan .  The country’s fuel shortage may severely disrupt the functioning of its healthcare sector, causing an  increase in mortality rate . In fact, the energy crisis has a dire effect on healthcare facilities, patients, and healthcare workers. Moreover, not to speak of operating rooms that account for most energy utilization in healthcare, lighting, air‐conditioning, and biomedical devices require energy for proper functioning. Indeed, the medical staff will be unable to undergo operations and treatment as most of the machinery is run by electricity, and prolonged power outages may impede life-saving medical procedures.  This has been witnessed in Gaza, where numerous patients died in Al-Shafi hospital as incubators for premature babies and ICU devices for oxygen needed fuel to operate, but the hospital ran out of fuel.  It is saddening to mention that the same can happen in Pakistan if efficacious strategies do not overcome the ongoing energy crisis.

Another worrisome  social implication  of the energy crunch for the state is the  threat of   severe food insecurity.  Though Pakistan is an agrarian country, its crop yield is decreasing day by day due to numerous reasons. One of the most prominent reasons is the unscheduled shutdown and termination of electricity because its productivity profoundly depends on electronic machinery, especially tube wells, which can potentially cause food insecurity in the country. The power outages may also hinder the production of insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers, thus declining crop yield.  Evidently, Somalia is a glaring example of how the energy crisis causes a food crisis. The significant reduction in its agricultural production, compounded by the rising fuel and essential food prices, resulted in the country’s food crisis.  In a word, Pakistan must take appropriate measures to tackle the impending food crisis.

Further, the energy crisis also forecasts daunting  implications for the education sector . The most significant implication is the  non-functional research centres  due to the expensive energy. Indeed, r esearch facilities generally consume significantly more electric power than similarly sized commercial buildings.  This is because a typical research unit in the life sciences has various freezers and fridges, along with IT infrastructure and ventilation systems, which constantly draw power from the electric grid. Moreover, heaters, ovens, computers, incubators, and so on use a considerable amount of energy throughout the working day in addition to lighting. Power-hungry equipment, such as electron microscopes and greenhouses for plant research, can further boost overall energy consumption.  According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, “The looming energy crisis and ongoing inflation could soon increase the pressure on academic research to find ways to save money and energy.”  Therefore, the energy crisis can reduce the research units to save energy. In short, Pakistan must minimize the current energy crunch to achieve the fruits of research and advancement.

Additionally, the energy crisis can also affect the  country’s education system  by  lowering the quality of education  due to a low budget allocation. To improve the country’s education quality, it is crucial to integrate the latest technology, such as LCDs for presentations, computers, printers, and basic facilities like electricity and clean drinking water, into the education system. In addition, a handsome budget is required to bring technology and facilities to the education sector. But when the country faces an energy crisis, the education system gets a low budget due to economic constraints.  To the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Report, 2022, “Pakistan’s education budget is 2.8% of its total GDP; it is still well short of the 4% target.”  This report highlights that Pakistan’s education budget is meagre due to a downgraded economy fueled by the energy crisis. Unfortunately, if this crisis is not addressed, then the quality of education may decrease further, and more illiteracy may prevail. Moreover, students may be unable to use computer labs; they cannot perform laboratory experiments or give presentations on LCDs because of long hours of load-shedding. Hence, these factors can further diminish the quality of education in Pakistan, thus hampering the country’s socio-economic development. 

Besides disrupting the educational sector, the energy crisis can disturb society  psychologically . Frequent and prolonged power outages may fuel frustration and social unrest in Pakistan, as has happened in the past. As history has witnessed, the load-shedding of gas and electricity and the non-availability of oil for transportation have created agitation in society.  For instance, in 2015, violent protests erupted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad over prolonged load shedding during Ramadan.  Therefore, it is imperative to reduce the energy crisis; otherwise, it may bring people to the roads to unbridle their frustration by damaging public and private property. Moreover, people may hold strikes and raise anti-government slogans. Such a chaotic situation can create a mental disturbance among the natives, and the negative image of the state can be shown to the world through the media. Thus, an unaddressed energy crisis can create frustration, ultimately disturbing the country’s peace. 

To add on, the energy crisis may engender  distrust between people and the government . Verily, the energy crunch affects the people financially and socially, so they blame the government for their sufferings, ultimately causing political instability. Sri Lanka was a glaring example of such a situation.  For instance, in 2023, over a hundred protests were staged in South Africa due to the extreme energy insecurity in the country, according to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace .  This example signifies that an unmitigated energy crisis in the country may add fuel to people’s misery, such as being unable to get proper health care, getting basic facilities like gas for cooking, and running businesses because of a shortage of oil and electricity. These sufferings can incite people against the government; hence, the mistrust between the nation and the government may widen. The energy crisis can promote a trust deficit between the nation and the government, hampering the country’s progress. 

Another vital implication of the energy crisis is its influence on the  environment , which cannot be ignored. The energy crisis may lead to an  intensification of air pollution.  Indeed, air pollution is the world’s most significant environmental health threat. Moreover, the energy crisis is an incentive to accelerate the process of damaging the environment. When people cannot get sufficient energy to fulfil their needs, they will switch to traditional energy methods, such as using wood and coal for heating. These methods can increase air pollution in the state.  According to the Bioenergy Europe, a research institute, “Using solid fuels for heating releases a range of fine particulate pollutants into the environment, including dioxins, which are known to damage lungs and can cause asthma.”  This fact highlights that air pollution has the potential to not only destroy the environment but also damage health. Unfortunately, Pakistan already faces air pollution. For example, Lahore city is hit by smog that causes lung, chest, and eye infections. So, the country cannot afford more pollution due to an uncontrolled energy crisis. Therefore, it is imperative to mitigate the crisis; otherwise, it may become difficult for people to survive in a polluted environment. 

Lastly, light has been thrown on the subsequent implication of the energy crisis: the  massive deforestation  due to the utility of wood and other biomass for fulfilling energy demands. Undoubtedly, the energy crunch can force people to use wood and other biomass to get energy.  For instance, due to the prolonged energy crisis, massive deforestation has been seen in the Brazilian Amazons in 2023 .  The fact indicates that by adopting traditional means of getting heat, the demand for wood will increase, and deforestation will be multiplied in its surroundings. Unfortunately, deforestation may pose a severe environmental threat as it can cause soil erosion and flooding and increase the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Therefore, minimizing the energy crisis in a country like Pakistan, facing the severe effects of climate change, is crucial.  For example, the 2010 flood in Pakistan has already disrupted the country economically and socially.  Hence, the state is not in a position to add more reasons that may increase deforestation, which can lead the state towards more climate-change-induced disasters. 

Moving ahead, history reveals that Pakistan has been plagued by internal and external problems, but the governing authorities and the masses never lost hope and instead offered their services to manipulate these problems. Similarly, the nation can materialize the quotation  “there is always a silver lining in the dark cloud”  to cope with the energy crisis. There is a dire need for quick and collective action in this connection. Some of the possible  solutions  are discussed here. To begin with, Pakistan should first go for alternative, renewable, and cheaper energy sources. The state should increase its reliance on solar, hydel, wind, and nuclear energy instead of heavy dependence on imported oil. Moreover, biogas plants should be encouraged to produce energy at a minor level. It is pertinent to note that Denmark is one of the unique countries that has achieved its ambitious target of shifting to 100% renewable energy sources by the year 2050. Pakistan should set targets like Denmark to minimize its energy crisis. Further, the government should exempt customs duty on imported solar panels and related equipment, such as inverters, batteries, photovoltaic modules, and solar lanterns. These devices can prove beneficial in controlling the energy crisis. 

Second, it is crucial to invest in energy infrastructure. This includes upgrading power generation capacity and enhancing transmission and distribution networks. Additionally, one of the major causes of the energy crisis in the state is transmission and distribution losses. As per the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Report, 2023, “Distribution companies have caused a loss of over 838 billion rupees to the national exchequer.” This fact shows that a lot of energy is lost due to old infrastructure. Therefore, upgrading energy infrastructure to mitigate the energy crisis is vital. Indeed, developing modern and resilient energy infrastructure will ensure an uninterrupted power supply, enabling industries to operate efficiently. In this way, the country can address the energy crisis and attract foreign direct investment.

Third, the government should implement comprehensive reforms in the energy sector to curb electricity theft and enhance transparency. Unfortunately, electricity theft is another reason that amplifies the energy crisis in the state. People illegally make connections between wires and power lines, bypassing meters to avoid paying bills. This practice is common in Pakistan, causing a loss of billions. Therefore, the government should implement strict policies and high accountability mechanisms to minimize electricity theft. 

Critically, Pakistan’s energy is in the doldrums, having severe implications for Pakistan. Unquestionably, energy sufficiency has been the basis upon which a country’s sovereignty, progress, and prosperity standstill, manifesting a nation’s fate worldwide. However, its absence has been a significant culprit in destabilizing the state. Moreover, the energy crisis does not grow automatically; there are many reasons behind this menace, such as circular debt, more reliance on expensive imported oil for energy generation, electricity theft, transmission and distribution losses, increased demand for energy, a fragile economy, and mismanagement of resources. Unfortunately, the energy crisis has already negatively impacted the country, as the country’s industrial and agricultural exports have diminished. Further, the tourists in the country were also affected by the crisis, and above all, investors’ confidence was shattered; they did not want to invest in the state because of power shortages. In short, the country is already grappling with the negative impacts of the energy crisis; thus, it is not in a position to bear more implications of the unaddressed crisis. So, the collective efforts of the government and the nation are required to mitigate the crisis and put the country on the path of prosperity. 

Conclusively, Pakistan is entangled in the energy crisis due to many factors. Verily, the energy crisis can potentially jolt the state financially, socially, environmentally, and psychologically. Therefore, it is high time to address the crisis by shifting to clean energy generation sources, improving infrastructure, and curbing electricity theft. On the flip side, if the energy crisis remains unsolved, it may have severe implications for the state, such as increasing the risk of default, rising inflation, making hospitals inoperable, closing industries and research institutes, and causing hunger by disrupting the agriculture sector. Hence, to save the country from encountering these implications, taking the necessary steps to mitigate the issue is vital.

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