Energy crisis worsens in Pakistan

Pakistan  has been suffering from an energy crisis for about half a decade now. The power crisis is proving to be unbearable. The sad state of affairs is that despite having enormous renewable resources of energy, Pakistan has to import a huge amount of hydrocarbons from abroad to meet its energy needs. in 2001,the country had 4,000 megawatts of excess power capacity but now the situation has gained threatening prospects.

According to a research,the electricity shortfall increased to 5,500 megawatts, about 40 percent of the estimated peak demand of 13,500 megawatts, resulting in an average load-shedding of 11 hours across the country. Load shedding of up to 16 hours was reported in rural areas to keep the duration of power breakdowns limited to 6-8 hours in major cities.This energy crisis at the beginning of the summer season is a matter of concern.

Reasons:

 In my view,there are six major reasons of energy crisis in Pakistan.

1) Main reason for energy crisis is lack of visionary leadership in Pakistan.

2) Lack of dams in Pakistan resulting in water shortage.

3) Gas shortage.

4) Fluctuation of oil prices in international market.

5) Unproductive efforts.

6) Silting process(naturally caused process which reduces the storage capacity of reservoirs)

Recommendations:

To overcome energy crisis, Pakistan needs to take following steps.

1) Firstly, all IPPs in the country which are not properly working should be put in order.

2) Government should have strict check on energy indicators on regular basis to counter such      

     crisis in future.

3) Developing and installing biogas,solar and wind based projects in villages.

4) IRSA should go to World Bank if India does not act upon the Indus Water Treaty.

5) The government should put a ban on use of CNG in vehicles.

6) The government should hire electricity from Iran and China for minimising the electricity     

    crisis.

7) Political controversies relating to Kalabagh dam must be resolved.