The diagnosis of an electricity crisis and alternative energy development in Pakistan. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaikh, Faheemullah; Ji, Qiang; Fan, Ying
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 52(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1172
• Page End: 1185
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: AEDB alternative energy development board -- CNNC China National Nuclear Corporation -- CSP concentrated solar power -- FACTS flexible AC transmission system -- FFCEL Fauji Fertilizer Company Energy Limited -- FiT feed-in tariff -- GDP gross domestic production -- GHG green house gas -- GoP Government of Pakistan -- GW h giga watt-hour -- HSD high speed diesel -- IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency -- IPI Iran–Pakistan–India -- IPPs independent power producers -- IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency -- IT information technology -- KESC Karachi Electric Supply Company -- kW h kilo watt-hour -- LoI letter of intent -- LPG liquefied petroleum gas -- MW mega watt -- NESP National Energy Security Plan -- NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory -- PAEC Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission -- PAEC Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission -- PCRET Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technology -- PKR Pakistan rupee -- PNG pipeline natural gas -- PNRA Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority -- PPDB Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) -- QASPC Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Company -- SHYDO Sarhad Hydel Development Organization -- TAPI Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India -- TOE tons of oil equivalents -- UN United Nation -- USA United States of America -- WAPDA Water and Power Development Authority; Electricity crisis -- National energy security plan -- Alternative energy -- Policy issues -- Feed-in tariff (FiT); Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2015.08.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: The electricity sector in Pakistan is currently facing the formidable challenges of an insufficient installed capacity, a suboptimal infrastructure, circular debt and revenue shortage. All of these problems hamper socioeconomic activities. This paper diagnoses the overall condition of the electricity sector as well as the potential and recent progress in the implementation of alternative energy projects in the context of the targets set in the National Energy Security Plan (NESP). The assessment reveals the unsatisfactory overall progress of the implementation of the NESP in general and alternative energy in particular. We assess that if the short-term measures contained in the NESP have been adequately executed, were enough to bridge the existing electricity supply-demand gap and the country might not be facing an ongoing electricity crisis. Further, we investigated the specific alternative energy policy issues that hinder this sector's development in Pakistan. We conclude that fuel diversification by means of the maximum utilisation of alternative energy resources would help in solving the crisis and would also furnish the long-term energy needs of the country. Finally, we recommend a comprehensive strategy for revamping the electricity sector and developing the alternative energy resources needed to tackle the ongoing electricity crisis in Pakistan.