ACCORDING to a report (Jan 3), Denmark has generated a record 47 per cent of electrical power from wind. By 2030, the Danes plan to increase this figure to 100pc thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70pc.

Pakistan has a wind corridor along the entire coast of Sindh and Balochistan suitable for wind turbines. It is also blessed with vast sun-baked plains ideal for producing solar energy.

The potential for big and small dams, if built, can further augment the power and water requirements of the country. At present, only about 40pc of Pakistan’s energy is generated from renewable sources (mainly hydel power at 27pc).

But utilising a mix of renewable energy sources such as those mentioned above can fulfill a major portion of our energy needs at a lowest cost per kilowatt and at the same time drastically reduce our import bill for fossil fuels.

This will also go a long way towards reducing environmental pollution, smog and flooding. If these sources of energy are tapped to the maximum, we can also achieve close to 100pc level of green energy by 2030.

Not only will we stop burning imported fossil fuels for generating electricity, our triple problems — environmental pollution, smog and climate change — will be reduced.

Asif Jah
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2020