“I’m just going to keep
plugging away until I find success—or an electrical socket that works. This is
the secret to gaining worldly power.”
― Jarod Kintz, Xazaqazax
“Invention is the most important product of man's creative brain. The ultimate
purpose is the complete mastery of mind over the material world, the harnessing
of human nature to human needs.”
― Nikola Tesla, My Inventions
Energy is now the talk of town in Pakistan. Starting from house wives, traders,
businessmen, students, ministers all the victims of the shortage of energy.
Karachi the biggest city experiencing up to 12 hours load shedding in peak hot
weather and during the board exams are on the way. Every body now became the
expert of energy and all the figures are on finger tips. some time the shortage
is 200 MW some time 2500 MW.
energy admin seriously explores the causes of such acute shortage
Gas as Fuel
AGING OF THE EQUIPMENT
One very important reason attributed to this energy shortage is the aging of the
generating equipment which could not develop the electricity as per the design
requirement. This is the responsibility of continuous updating the equipment and
keeping the high standard of maintenance.
we sincerely think a serious thought should be given for general overhaul and
maintenance of existing equipment to keep them in good working order.
WASTAGE OF ENERGY
So far energy conservation is limited to newspaper ads lip service in seminars.
No serious thought is being given to utilize the energy at the optimum level. A
new culture need to develop to conserve energy. Some times on government level
illiteracy is blamed for the failure of the energy conservation program. this is
not true,. Maximum energy is consumed by elite class which have all the
resources of knowledge and communication. But for their own luxury they
themselves ignore the problem. Government should seriously embark on energy
conservation program.
HIGH COST OF FUEL
The cost of crude has increased from 40 $ to 140 $/barrel. it means the
generation from thermal units are costing exorbitant price. WAPDA and KESC when
purchasing electricity on higher cost are not eager to keep on selling the
electricity on loss. Therefore they do not move on general complain of load
shedding.
One simple solution is to increase the energy cost. Again the theft of
electricity from the consumers adding the misery of common citizen who wants to
pay the bills honestly.
the problem of the energy losses is being discussed for more than a decade and
in spite all efforts no solution has been found.
MONOPOLY IN THE BUSINESS
Wapda and KESC are two generation and dispatch units in Pakistan. although NEPRA
is a government authority to settle the tariff issues but the fact remains that
once the question of WAPDA comes the authority has a very little influence.
This is suggested that private sector should be allowed to install power plant
and settle the electricity to consumers. Once the rates are settled on
competitive basis and the service and uninterrupted power supply will be insured
then consumers will be benefited.
EXPLORING COAL
Pakistan is blessed with large amount of the coal. again no serious work is done
to explore the coal for power generation. This is complained that the coal
quality is inferior. however tailored made solutions are available to burn any
type of coal. Government is looking for private sector to play its role.
In our opinion the government itself should come forward and install the power
plants on the site of coal mines only.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The government exerting great efforts to develop the renewable energy. PPIB has
issued letter of intent to many private sector sponsors. If a serious work is
done then the total shortage can be met from Hydro and wind power sector.
This is also suggested that small loans should be provided to consumers to
install small hydro and solar cells for one family usage of electricity. The
mechanism should be made that instead of monthly bills loan recovery each month
to be carried out .
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
So far the government is looking for private sector investment in energy sector
and for itself it choose a role of facilitator and arbitrator. We strongly
suggest that a massive investment from government itself in generating units for
conventional as well as new technologies is needed. Once the government sector
embarks on massive plans then private sector will follow immediately.
ENERGY PLANNING
in spite higher costs immediate relief is only possible with thermal power
plants which can be commissioned in 24 months time. A comprehensive and
realistic planning will help to develop generating units in Pakistan which will
be a catalytic element for the economic growth , poverty elevation and
prosperity in Pakistan