Power Vision in Pakistan

Power Vision in Pakistan

Water and Power are no at least not known more synonymous. However, WAPDA makes us consider that Water and Power are indivisible and that the present energy crisis in the country because we have fail to construct big dams. WAPDA use this argument in favor of building Kala Bagh Dams and other large dams.

Pakistan produces about 19500 M.W of electric Power; WAPDA provides about 11363 MW, or 58% of this. The remaining power is supplied by the KESC and nuclear, IPP'S. There is currently load shedding up to 700 M.W a day because of shortage and poor transmission capabilities. Electricity demand is expected to grow by 8 % a year during the period 2005-15 requiring an annual installation capacity of about 200 M.W, for the next 10 years.

Pakistan has the world 7th largest reserves of coal after the recent discovers in Thar. The overall coal preserve in Pakistan is about 175 billion tons. The recent coal production is only 3.5 million tons per years, which is generally used for the bricks and cement industry. In Pakistan, there are plans to build three hundred (300 MW) coal fired plants at Thar. In addition to the option of using nuclear plants and coal for power production, other energy sources are also available including Wind and Solar.

Wind energy is the highest rising energy source in the world. It grew at an astonishing 43% in the last 2 years. Technologies have really enhanced in the last two decades, making wind energy very reasonable as compared to the other source of power. In Pakistan minor windmills are now visible, such as the ones at Gharo, Where SZABIST establish an experimental research station several years ago. The Sindh government has recently announced strategy to construct a 50MW Wind farm in the locality of the coastal region at Gharo.

Solar power is another alternative energy source option that is generally considered possible. Even though the accepted standard is 1000 W/m2 of crest power at sea level deliver a typical of only 19-56 W/m2. Solar plants are normally used in cases where smaller amounts of power are required at remote site.

Pakistan needs to setup at least a dozen nuclear power plants, large coal fired plants, wind farms and soar plants in the next 10 years to generate about 20000 MW of electricity. We need to invest at least a billion dollars a year in devolving the infrastructure and establishing power plants using nuclear, coal, wind and solar technology. We need to cut back on non development expenditure by at least one billion dollars a years to invest in energy needs