Energy policy of Pakistan
The energy policy of Pakistan is formulated and determined by the federal, provincial, and local institutional entities in
Several mandates and proposals have been called over the years to overlook the energy conservation, such as
Studies and policy implementation recommended by
Energy authorities and institutions
- Government of Pakistan
- Ministry of Energy
- Private Power & Infrastructure Board
- Alternative Energy Development Board
- Ministry of Energy
- Industrial energy sector
- Energy and power regulatory authorities
- Water and Power Development Authority
- National Electric Power Regulatory Authority
- Energy corporations
- Electricity and energy corporations in Pakistan
- Karachi Electric
History
In the 1960s, a large civilian energy input and infrastructure was built by the
In 1994, Prime Minister
Controversially, the energy policy depended less on renewable energy sources and dependence on imported oil increased that created a permanent fault in country's
Policy overview
Energy policy: 2008–10
In 2005, Prime Minister
In 2006, Prime Minister
Energy Policy: 2010–13
After the
The policy was announced after the Prime Minister,
Energy Policy: 2013–18
The 2010 amendment to Pakistan's Constitution (para. 3), empowered each province to formulate the policy framework for the development of public and private sector power generation. This has led to the formation of dedicated provincial departments and empowered public sector companies specialized in renewables to foster and execute power projects through public, private and public–private partnership modes using indigenous power resources.[20]
This tenure's energy policy was aimed at aggressively building power generation capacity through early-harvest projects in
However, despite the massive addition of power to the national grid, glaring issues existed in the power sector. There was no viable overhaul done to the electricity transport infrastructure which lead to episodes of plant tripping and extended blackouts during the summer months.[26] Furthermore, there was still a wide demand and supply gap during high temperature months which led to periodic, planned load-shedding.[27] Finally, the issue of circular debt was still attached to the power sector and reached a record high of Rs. 922 billion in March, 2018.[28]
Strengthen regional cooperation: 2019–present
At the same time as the construction of the
Conservation and consumption
Due to rising demand and a failing power infrastructure severe electricity shortages have occurred in Pakistan. This has led to widespread rolling blackouts that have paralysed industry and led to protests and rioting.[13] Power outages can last 6–8 hours a day in the cities and many more in the rural areas.[31] According to Mahnaz Parach of Network for Consumer Protection "Children can't do their homework. Housework doesn't get done, as washing machines and other appliances cannot work. When you go home from work, you have no idea whether there will be electricity at home. Your whole life is disturbed."[32]
Experts have warned of an impending energy crisis since 2006.[33] Speaking at a Seminar 'Fueling the Future: Meeting Pakistan's Energy Needs in the 21st Century' held in Washington, D.C. in June 2006 then energy adviser to the prime minister of Pakistan Mukhtar Ahmed stated that the country was taking steps to address the energy shortage.[34] Pakistan Electric Power Company estimates that there is a shortage of 6 gigawatts or about 60% of its total generation.[35] One of the main reasons of the shortage is thought to be the failure of past governments to anticipate growth in need and the delay in implementation of projects to increase power production. In addition there is widespread power theft and lack of investment in the existing power grid.[36]
The United States has made improving Pakistan's power infrastructure one of its top priorities.[37] US special envoy Richard Holbrooke, while describing the power situation in Pakistan as "unacceptable," has stated that the US would go to its "absolute limits" to help Pakistan overcome the crisis.[38]
Power sources and electrical energy
Measures are aimed at cutting consumption by 500
Consumption by computers
Since the early 1990s, the country has observed the highest growth rate in usage of computers that effect the supply of the electricity produced in the system.
Variations by regions
In the days following the announcement, traders in Lahore rejected the government's decision and kept the markets open after 8 pm in defiance of the ban.[44] Shops were kept open in other cities also after 8 pm. Kashif Shabbir, president of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce warned the situation would get worse if authorities used force to implement the decision.[45] There was confusion over implementation of the two-day weekend, and many banks and educational institutions remained open.[46] Commenting on the defiant mood of the traders, an editorial in Dawn urged everybody to find middle ground.[47]
Reacting to the decision to curtail power supply to Karachi, the "City of Lights", leaders of various political parties in the
Some analysts have predicted that reduction in the banks' workweek to 5 days will result in revenue losses.[49]
The prevailing energy crisis in Pakistan is taking away 2 percent (or Rs 380 billion) of the economy, despite the government has spent Rs 1.1 trillion as subsidies on the sector in the last four-year which accounts for 2.5 percent of the total volume of economy.[50]
During June 2012, President Asif Ali Zardari had said that the government realised the enormity of the challenge of energy shortage and was determined to overcome it in the shortest possible time.[51]
International co-operation
Pakistan is already importing small quantity of electricity from Iran to supply power to Gwadar town. Pakistan is also actively considering to import electricity from India and Tajikistan. World Bank offered to finance for conducting the feasibility study to import 1200 MW power from India.[52][53]
Pakistan is also exploring to import
Pakistan started importing discounted
See also
- Effects of global warming on South Asia
- Electricity sector in Pakistan
- Energy crisis
References
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- ^ a b c "Steps taken to tackle energy crisis". Geo TV. 22 April 2010. Archived from the original on 28 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ Staff (12 May 2007). "Shaukat and Jatoi take up energy policy". AAJ News Archives. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ Syed Mohibullah Shah (8 October 2011). "Energized yet powerless". The News International, 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ a b Bhatti, Sohail (22 July 2013). "Ambitious' national energy policy formulated". Dawn News, 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ "PAKISTAN ARMY". www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g Aziz, Sartaj (23 April 2013). "Who is responsible?". Pakistan Today, April 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ "50 MW wind power project connected to national grid". nation.com.pk. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
- ^ Muralidhar Reddy (8 March 2005). "We will oppose domination of Indian Ocean: Shaukat Aziz". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 March 2006. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ a b Syed Mohibullah Shah (8 October 2011). "Energised, yet powerless". The News International, 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ APP (7 November 2006). "Saudi investment invited in energy, mining sectors". The Dawn News, areastudies. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ Staff. "Traders agree to close markets at 9 pm". Labour Unity Org. Labour Unity Org. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
- ^ a b c "Pakistan's PM announces energy policy to tackle crisis". BBC. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ^ Tavernise, Sabrina (26 April 2010). "Pakistanis Living on Brink, and Often in the Dark". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
- ^ a b "Effects of Power Sector Reforms". Prime Minister's Inspection Commission. 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- ^ Amin, Mohd. Ramiz. "Nationalization and Privatization in Pakistan". Nationalization and Privatization in Pakistan. Archived from the original on 11 June 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- ^ "A caretaker minister makes his way into real cabinet". Thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- ^ "PML-N's Abid Sher Ali appointed as new state minister for power". The Express Tribune. 22 July 2013.
- ^ "Awais Leghari made Minister of Power Division". Business Recorder. 6 October 2017.
- ^ Asian Development Bank, Access to Clean Energy Investment Program: Summary Sector Assessment: Energy, p.2
- ^ "PML-N govt added 10,973 MW electricity to system, NA told". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "PTI claims govt only added 1,670 MW to the power grid - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Sindh contributes 935 MW wind energy in national grid: CM". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "[Initiatives] Energy Department, Govt. of the Punjab, Pakistan". www.energy.punjab.gov.pk. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ Baloch, Sanaullah (29 January 2018). "No energy for Balochistan". The News International.
- ^ "Parts of Punjab, KP hit by massive power breakdown". Dawn. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Daily Power Position". 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ Kiani, Khaleeq (2 March 2018). "Energy sector circular debt touches record Rs922bn". Dawn. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ISSN 2352-4847.
- ^ Islamuddin, Sajid. "Pakistan approves work on long-awaited Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project". Anadolu Ajansı. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan turns off lights to end energy crisis". Khaleej Times. 22 April 2010. Archived from the original on 8 June 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ^ Shah, Saeed (21 April 2010). "Pakistan to impose wedding curfew as power shortages cause civil unrest". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ "Major energy crisis feared". Dawn. 29 July 2006. Archived from the original on 9 April 2009. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Pakistan needs to tackle energy crisis". Dawn. 24 June 2006. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Electricity shortfall reaches 6,000 MW". Dawn. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ "Crisis talks as power shortages hit Pakistan industry". Reuters. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ^ "Pakistan announces measures to save energy". Forbes. 22 April 2010. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ^ "US to help Pakistan tide over energy crisis". Dawn. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Pakistan War on Power Deficit to Shut Offices, Ban Neon Signs". Bloomberg Businessweek. 22 April 2010. Archived from the original on 25 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ^ "Gilani vows to reduce load-shedding". Dawn. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
- ^ "Energy conservation strategy announced". The News International. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ "Computers and its Usage in Pakistan". Pakistan Telecommunications. 3 December 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- ^ websedk (24 June 2013). "30m internet users in Pakistan, half on mobile: Report". Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
- ^ "Traders defy order of markets' closure". Dawn. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ "Traders reject Malik's warning, refuse to close shops at 8 pm". Dawn. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Two holidays: confusion over implementation". The News International. 24 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Traders' defiance". Dawn. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
- ^ "Karachi lights being turned off to overcome energy crisis". Dawn. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
- ^ "Two-day weekend to hurt banks' earnings". The News International. 25 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Economic cost of energy crisis estimated at Rs380bn, The News, 1 June 2012
- ^ Disengagement not an option: President Zardari Archived 2 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Geo News, 1 June 2012
- ^ "Pakistan all set to import electricity from India" (PDF). 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "Adani mulls exporting electricity to Pakistan". 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "India, Pakistan may shake hands on electricity, hydrocarbons" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ "India-Pakistan-Iran pipeline remains the most viable option". 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
- ^ Kugelman, Michael (14 June 2023). "Russian Oil Shipment Arrives in Pakistan". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
External links
- Video: Pakistan's Power Crisis Archived 22 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, 26 April 2010
- Video: Power cuts anger Pakistan traders, Al Jazeera English, 22 April 2010