Pakistan has potential for renewable sources of energy: SSUET VC

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Vice-Chancellor Sir Syed University of Engineering and Tchnology (SSUET), Prof Dr Mohammad Afzal Haque, has said that the consumption of electricity was generally considered as an index of economic prosperity and technological progress of a country and Pakistan as a developing country was experiencing growing demand for electricity.

"Pakistan’s energy requirement is growing rapidly due to an increase in population and high energy intensive industrial sector", he observed and added that there is enormous shortfall in demand and supply of electricity in the country. 

He stated this in a message on the occasion of 2nd International Electrical Conference 2017 being held under the auspices of Institute of Engineers Pakistan (IEP). According to him the demand for electricity was nearly 24,000 MW. 

Due to weak transmission and distribution system there was a short fall of over 6000 to 7000 MW requiring long hours of load shedding. 

Dr Afzal pointed out that the mainstay of energy in Pakistan has always been fossil fuel using furnace oil which has to be imported using foreign exchange. 

He said the oil prices fluctuate with the passage of time, depending upon global economic conditions. With the rising fossil fuel prices, the cost of oil import is creating problem for foreign exchange reserves. 

The rising oil prices along with the rising demand for uninterrupted power, is an additional pressure on the already fragile energy grid of Pakistan. Our country, the SSUET's VC said, is yet to fully diversify our energy mix and reduce dependency upon use of furnace oil.

He said that Pakistan has potential for renewable sources of energy. Sindh-Balochistan coastal belt has wind corridor and can be utilized to produce abundant wind energy. Pakistan is one of those countries that have sunlight throughout 365 days and solar energy could be another option. 

"We are yet to fully utilize Thar coal reserves for energy generation, Northern part of country is rich for generation of hydro energy. We must develop renewable sources up to the optimal level". 

He was sure that experts at the seminar would come up with some do able, pragmatic and cost-effective solutions to address problems pertaining to the energy sector on long lasting basis. 

He appreciated that the Institute of Engineers Pakistan (IEP) in collaboration with various other institutions addressed an important national issue as our country is faced with acute challenge of energy shortfall. 

Adding, he said, as we all are aware, the phenomenon of climate change is a reality now and overall rise in global temperature is expected. There is a need to address energy crises as it has become so important as never in the past.