NED University of Engineering & Technology

Department of Electrical Engineering

Energy Issues of
Pakistan & its
possible Solutions
Electrical Power Distribution & Utilization (EE-354)
Zain Alam
EE-11072

Introduction:
Pakistan is a energy deficient country and has been facing an unprecedented energy crisis since the last
few years. It has become a severe challenge to our country. Electricity, gas, water, fuel is essential part
of our daily life and its outage has severely affected the economy and overall living of ours. Thousands
have lost their jobs, businesses; our daily life has become miserable. Pakistan is currently facing upto 18
hours of electricity outage a day in some areas mostly during summer season and expected to face more
if not dealt with in time. In this assignment we will analyze the nature of these energy issues and try to
propose some short-term as well as long-term solutions to this problem. This assignment have been
prepared through research through the official websites of government of Pakistan. As well as by the
help of some seniors and the information we get through seminars conducted in university.
Energy issues of Pakistan, their causes and the recommended solutions:
Pakistan is in the grip of a serious power shortage crisis that is affecting all sectors of the economy and
various segments of the society. Airplanes, trains, cars, motorbikes, buses and trucks, all modes of
transportation are coming to a stand still. Many industries have closed due to insufficient power supply.
Price of oil has gone above the ceiling. At domestic level, alternate methods like solar, biogas and other
methods are being tried for mere survival. The abundance of power shortages in Pakistan is harmful to
the countrys economy and it is pulling down Pakistans GDP growth. According to World Bank, Pakistan
Peak demand is more than 14,000 MW while the total capacity is 19,500 MW.The funds spent on the
import of power generators and their fuel is an enormous burden on the economy.
Current energy situation in Pakistan:
The data we have taken from Pakistan energy yearbook is as follows:
Current installed generation capacity: 22,500 MW of which, WAPDA (Hydel) 6500 MW, WAPDA
(Thermal) 4900 MW, KESC 1950MW, IPPs 8363MW, Nuclear 787MW
Average Electricity generated in a year: 94,635 GWh based on Oil 35%, Hydel 34%, Natural Gas 27%,
Nuclear 4% & Coal 1%
Current Power Availability: 17,000 MW Peak Demand 22,000 MW and Average shortfall 5000MW
Electricity demand is growing at a rate of 10 % annually whereas supply growing at a rate of 7 %.
We will now look at the causes behind the energy crises in Pakistan;
Cause Of Energy Crisis In Pakistan
The main causes of energy shortfall is as follows:
Wastage of energy: Currently, the elite class is consuming maximum energy even with prior knowledge
and understanding. A recent estimate shows that 15 to 20 percent of energy is either theft or wasted
through poor distribution systems.
High Cost Of Fuel: The high cost of fuel i.e. the price of crude has increased from $40 to $140 a barrel.
This obscene rise in cost means that the thermal source of production is resulting in exorbitant prices.
Aging of the equipment: One very important reason attributed to this energy shortage is the aging of
the generating equipment as well as the distribution equipments which could not develop the electricity
as per the design requirement. We should sincerely think a serious thought should be given for general
overhaul and maintenance of existing equipment to keep them in good working order.
Distribution system: for last twenty years WAPDA and KESC complaining about the distribution system
but fails to bring any improvement
Also due to poor energy planning and lack of political will and leadership this huge shortage has
prevailed.
Now before jumping to towards the solutions to these energy issues first we will view the energy
resources of Pakistan which can divided into two categories:
Conventional sources :Conventional energy sources are typically fully developed, nonrenewable
resources It includes ;
1) Thermal energy: by coal,natural gas and oil.
2) Hydel energy: by river water stored in dams.
3) nuclear energy: through nuclear power plants.

Non conventional sources :
Nonconventional sources may be functional but are still undergoing development and use renewable
resources. Some of them are Wind energy, Solar energy, Bio gas etc.

wind energy:
Pakistan has been gifted with an immense wind resource. We can use wind potential to develop surplus
electrical power for our country. The Ghoro - Keti Bandar Wind Corridor spreading 60 km along the
coastline of Sindh province and more than 170 km deep towards the land alone has a potential to
generate more than 60,000 MW of electricity
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. This is only one reference. Similar projects can be
installed along the coastline of Balochistan.
Hydel energy:
Hydro power could be generated by using power turbines which convert mechanical energy into
electrical energy. Hydro Power contributes the huge amount of energy in the energy reservoirs of
Pakistan. This is the very cheap source of electricity generation, which contributes only 34% in the whole
power generation of Pakistan. At this time we are gaining 6555 MW against the potential required
41000 to 45000 MW.
Following are the Hydro Power generation dams of Pakistan:
Tarbella Dam:Its capacity is 3, 478 MW.
Ghazi Brotha Dam: Its capacity is 1450 MW.
Mangla Dam: Its capacity is 1, 000 MW.

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Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Warsak Dam: Its capacity is 240 MW.
Chashma Dam: Its capacity is 184 MW.
Hydropower Projects of Pakistan:-
Munda Dam:Its capacity is 740 MW.
Kalabagh Dam: Its capacity is 2400-3600 MW.
Since Pakistan has many dams and can produce a lot of megawatts power. This is the major and very
reasonable solution of electricity.
Solar energy:
Solar sector is the fastest-growing clean-energy industry in the world. Solar Energy is available at a rate
of 1000 watts per square meter in Pakistan (about 19 Mega Joules per square metre of solar energy)
according to the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) sources. This can be converted to DC
electricity with the help of Solar Photovoltaic cells, which may be used to pump water, operate fans, TV
and telecommunications directly during daytime. The electrical energy generated during the day time
(5-8 hours of sunshine), can also be stored in deep cycle lead acid batteries which can be used at night
to provide power for lighting, radio, Television and fans. The system will be user-friendly and designed
as a stand-alone system for each household, who will be trained to operate and maintain it. The user
will only be required to switch on/off the system, as is done in normal home lighting systems. Solar
energy is the best and suitable form for Pakistan as the country has a potential of generating 100,000
MW electricity.
Coal:
Australia is producing 80% of its power from coal, china and india are producing about 78% and 69%
respectively whereas Pakistan is producing only 0.1% of its power from coal until last year
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. Few years
back Pakistan used to get half of its electricity from hydel power and remaining from thermal
generation. However there is a limit to the extent of exploitation of hydel resources and thermal power
plants due to environmental and other concerns. The largest coal reserves of Pakistan exist in Thar
which are about 175 Billion Tons or 850 Trillion Cubic feet
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. There this source can be cashed. A pilot
project has been completed for the generation of 100MW electricity.



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Global Power Generation from coal
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http://en.openei.org/