May 26, 2006	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 27, 1427

LAHORE, May 25: Energy consumption in Pakistan is likely to touch 150 million tons oil equivalent (mtoe) by 2020, while the net supply from indigenous sources would be 103mtoe.

At present total supply of energy from all sources is about 34mtoe against a total consumption of 32mtoe.

According to the latest report of the State Bank of Pakistan, there was a need for concerted efforts to increase the supply of energy from diversified sources, particularly from the most neglected source i.e. coal.

Traditionally, oil has been the largest source of energy, but its share in total consumption has declined from 42 per cent in 1980 to 32 per cent in 2005.

The share of electricity has also declined significantly in the total fuel consumption in the economy. In this scenario, natural gas has emerged as the most popular source of energy, almost doubling its consumption share during this period.

The report said the pattern of energy consumption had changed over time in favour of natural gas, primarily due to its enhanced availability and upward changes in the relative price of other fuel sources, especially oil.

Besides, changes in overall energy mix in the economy, the energy consumption basket of different consumer groups has also changed over the last 25 years.

The household sector, which accounts for 15 per cent of the total energy consumption, was deriving 35.5 per cent of its energy needs from oil, 25.5 per cent from gas and 38.4 per cent from electricity in the 1980s.

This consumption changed radically in later years, raising the share of gas to 62.4 per cent in the total household energy consumption during the 2000s.—APP