PAKISTAN’S economy cannot take off without cheap electricity. This is nowhere in sight at the moment. The production cost of goods and their competitiveness in the world market depends directly on the input cost, and electricity usage is an important ingredient .

Improved and affordable electricity will eliminate power theft, reduce system losses, increase the power sector’s efficiency and competence.

It is time we harnessed our vast wind and solar power potential as quickly as possible and eliminate our dependance on costly fossil fuels for power production .

Many countries have overtaken us in this regard because of timely decisions and action. At present wind and solar power is less than seven per cent in our energy mix.

The generation of more wind, solar and hydro power is the solution to get us out of our costly energy quagmire.

Engr Riaz Bhutta
Lahore

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2020