Although Pakistan’s indigenous energy resources are huge, it faces an acute energy crisis today.

Pakistan has the fourth largest coal reserves, estimated at 186bn tonnes, in the world. It is almost equal to the oil reserves of Saudi Arabia in terms of heat output.

The electricity consumption of Pakistan stands at 22,000 megawatts. The average power shortfall is around 6,000 MW , whereas the total hydro power and wind power potential of Pakistan is estimated as 41,700 MW and 41,000 MW, respectively. Besides, the energy received in the form of solar radiations is 1,715 times more than the current consumption.

The country has the world’s ninth largest deposits of oil and gas. The reserves are estimated at 27 billion barrels of oil and 282 trillion cubic feet of gas. Yet, Pakistan imports 85 per cent of its oil at the rate of nearly $11bn a year.

Moreover, the country can generate enough ethanol from sugarcane to meet 34pc of its current oil consumption.

Finally, Pakistan has the potential to become an energy hub of the world because it is the only shortest transit route for Central Asian states to sell their surplus energy. Thus, Pakistan has a huge energy potential.

Saddam Hussain Samo

Khairpur Mir’s

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2017