Embarking On An Energy Age

Pakistan’s large coal reserves can play a pivotal role in overcoming our energy shortage, write M. Afzal Ghauri and Rizwan Haider

Energy policies tend to develop the basic infrastructure for energy development in terms of efficient and secured energy production, distribution and consumption in any country.

Pakistan has been facing intense energy shortage that has not only damaged our socio-economic structures, but has also been the source of mental anguish for everyone. According to some estimates, it is feared that by 2010 the gap between demand and supply could reach up to 8,000 megawatts (MW).

The ‘worst’ crisis in the energy sector seems to have become a permanent fixture. BP Review of World Energy for year 2007 reveals 58.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) as the primary energy consumption for the year of 2007. During the last 10 years, Pakistan has faced 25 per cent increase in primary energy consumption. The share of two fuel options, natural gas and coal, in our energy mix is very low due to a lack of focus, or will, to rely on alternate means. Natural gas is being transmuted into worthless carbon dioxide and smoke, instead of being used in fostering the chemical industry.

On the other hand, coal is also neglected which has a share of almost eight per cent in the energy mix despite the fact that Pakistan has 185 billion tonnes of coal reserves. Another bizarre fact about energy mix is the share of oil that is 30 per cent for which 80 per cent of the demand is met through imports.

The total capacity of installed electricity of Pakistan is 19,450 MW in which the shares of hydel, thermal and nuclear are 33.4 per cent, 64.2 per cent and 2.4 per cent, respectively. In case of thermal power, we are 99 per cent dependent on oil and natural gas, while the share of coal is only one per cent. This is because short-term policies are simply made keeping just one factor in mind – an easy availability of energy source.

The phrase energy policy is not well-known to most people in Pakistan because this aspect has never been worked out and if it has, then not properly. Serious steps are needed for our survival by determining the national energy policy comprising real time elements which should focus on generating energy at lower costs.

Therefore, as an element of national energy policy, the enhanced share of coal in the energy mix is suggested. However, sadly, we cannot apply coal immediately in energy setups because of its high sulphur content. Fortunately, advanced desulphurisation technologies like bio-desulphurisation have succeeded in shattering the interconnection of coal use and sulphur oxide emissions and, expertise are available in Pakistan, too. In this regard, a national coal commission should be established, comprising scientists and engineers who should determine the applicable viability of various ways of the utilisation of indigenous reserves of coal in Pakistan.

Eventually, coal, rather just the efficient utilisation of indigenous coal, can provide us with energy security and we can thus get rid of the persistent energy shortage. Coal as a source of energy has been neglected for long and it is time coal is made to play a pivotal role in the economy of Pakistan.