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March 19, 2024
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Lahore
EditorialGreen energy need of the hour

Green energy need of the hour

An invitation has been made by Federal Energy Minister Khurram Dastgir to the Japanese government and businesses to look into potential business prospects in Pakistan’s renewable energy industry. At last, the government is diverting its attention to the actual area of concern as the renewable energy sector offers enormous benefits, which can be tapped by making a joint venture with a developed state like Japan. It has been reported that the current administration is working to increase the proportion of renewable energy sources used in power generation to meet growing energy needs in Pakistan.

An endemic energy crisis, blamed on years of mismanagement, is already crippling the economy and making the lives of millions of people miserable. Currently, the generation of electricity from hydropower sector accounts for nearly 6,611 MW in peak season while our power generation mostly relies on thermal power plants that produce almost 65 percent electricity e.g 14,635 MW. But the cost of this electricity is very high because thermal power plants are run on imported furnace and diesel oil. Besides taping hydropower, a more affordable energy mix is needed to deal with the challenge. In this regards, renewable energy sources are the best option. The government needs to come forward and introduce renewable energy projects, which can decrease the strain on the national power grid. Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, solid waste, biomass and LNG-based power plants can help overcome the energy crisis. Another source of producing electricity can be bio-fertilizer and recycling of solid waste. In this regard, help from the private sector can be valuable.

Unless the government decides to set up power generation plants from renewable sources, the power shortage problem may not go away. These small projects can help alleviate the extent of suffering of citizens. They can be especially beneficial for small communities living in far off remote areas, where the cost of laying infrastructure to connect them with the national grid is very high. With the completion of small projects, poor villagers can enjoy the facility of electricity. The wind and solar power projects can not only provide far off areas with a cheap and sustainable source of light, these can also make a positive impact on the living condition of communities. Although the initial cost of these renewable energy sources like wind and solar power projects is high, the government can finance these small power plants that will ultimately decrease the load on the national grid. The government needs to introduce policies to encourage citizens to opt for renewable energy sources in houses and commercial buildings. Amid the climate crisis, green energy is the best option and efforts need to be made at all levels for setting up renewable power projects at those places in the country that offer a conducive environment.

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