Pakistan is a beautiful country with amazing landscapes, breathtaking mountains, and developed cities. But unfortunately, the country is still struggling to provide electricity to its people. Pakistan is facing a serious energy crisis, leading to people in different cities of Pakistan not having access to electricity for hours. Moreover, the energy crisis in Pakistan also causes issues for the education and health sectors.
In this article, we will delve deeper into the energy crisis in Pakistan, how the current situation is, and if there is a way for Pakistan to resolve this issue.
Current situation of the energy crisis in Pakistan
For any country’s development and industrial revolution, energy security plays a crucial role. If a country is facing energy issues, it eventually affects its development and progress as well. Foreign investors find no reason to invest, and economic activities are also affected. The shortage of energy also holistically influences the social, political, psychological, and developmental aspects of life. The lack of resources like gas, electricity, and oil is hazardous for the environment too.
The lack of energy in Pakistan is nothing new, as this issue has been persistent since the 1990s due to a supply-demand imbalance. In the past two decades, the issue has not been resolved, but it has worsened. Currently, Pakistan is facing two major issues: electricity load-shedding and gas load-shedding, which have caused inflated energy prices and industrial closures and downfalls. For now, the electricity shortage in the country is 80000 MW, and it is expected that it will continue to increase with time because of increased demand.
The reason behind the energy crisis in Pakistan
There is not one particular reason behind this persistent issue in Pakistan, but a lot of factors have led to the severe energy crisis in Pakistan today. The main reason is still the gap between energy supplies and demand in the country, which is affected by several factors, such as economic instability. Pakistan also lacks the technical expertise to immediately mitigate this issue throughout the country. Additionally, the excessive reliance on non-renewable energy and fossil fuels, outdated transmission lines, power theft, and overpopulation are also affecting the energy supplier-demand balance in the country.
The issue is now no longer limited to rural areas, but in major cities like Karachi, people are facing 8 hours or more of load-shedding. There are areas in Pakistan, like Kohat, where people don’t get electricity for 12-plus hours. Residents of Pakistan are now frustrated with this situation and tired of making protests and pledges to the government. Unfortunately, the government of the country is well aware of all the causes of the energy crisis in Pakistan, but they don’t have the right solution to instantly solve this issue, as Pakistan is decades behind in fulfilling the electricity needs of its people.
IMF’s measures to resolve energy issues
Pakistan’s government is well aware of the electricity shortages in Pakistan that have now reached below 50% of national demand. It is a serious condition, considering it can also threaten the country’s economy. The IMF took notice of the situation and approved a loan with instructions to the government of Pakistan to work on reforming the energy sector of the country. The key points highlighted by the IMF were to improve transmission infrastructure, move captive power demand to the grid, and revisit the terms of power purchase agreements.
Currently, the maximum power usage in Pakistan is 20,000 MW, and the production capacity is 45,000 MW. This leads to Pakistan paying monthly fixed charges called capacity charges. It is costing Pakistan twice as much because of the extra production capacity. Currently, the government is selling even less than 10,000 MW due to 8-hour load shedding across Pakistan while having to pay for 45,000 MW of generation. The IMF advised the government to work on infrastructure and try to make energy cost-effective for the general public.
Solar Energy: The Perfect Solution for Pakistan’s Energy Crisis
Unfortunately, if Pakistan wants to meet its energy demands, especially electricity, it requires a lot of time and investment. The residents of Pakistan are looking for an immediate solution to the electricity issues they are facing. The perfect and immediate solution to address the energy crisis in Pakistan is solar energy. By opting for solar products such as solar panels and inverters, residents of Pakistan can get access to clean energy without worrying about load-shedding and a hike in the price of electricity bills.
Solar panel prices in Pakistan are affordable and switching to solar energy is a one-time investment that will save you years of high electricity prices. However, when switching to solar energy, it is important to do proper research because investing in low-quality products will not resolve your issue but increase it. Opt for reputable brands like Doart Energy to get premium-quality solar products and enjoy easy access to renewable energy for years to come. Overall, less reliance on fossil fuels will also help Pakistan mitigate climate issues, and the improvement in the energy sector will help the country attract more foreign investors, contributing to Pakistan’s economic development.
Summing it up!
The energy crisis in Pakistan is severe and is not expected to be instantly resolved. Unfortunately, policymakers are still scratching their heads to find a solution, and the general public is tired of making requests. It is high time that the people of Pakistan take a step for themselves and their families by switching to solar energy. Not only will it help people get rid of load-shedding, but it will also help them get rid of paying hefty amounts for electricity bills. Make the right decision today for a green future in Pakistan!