Current Energy Crisis and Renewable Energy Sources in Pakistan

Pakistan is suffering through an energy crisis. The demand for primary energy has increased considerably since the year 2000. Current power shortage has been estimated approximately 3,000 MW and would predicted to increase about 5,300 MW by 2010. This research was carried out to identify the importance and potential of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind energy, solar energy and biomass energy to overcome energy shortage, strengthen the economy and maintain the current growth rate. Currently, thermal energy has 63 % share in total energy production and carries very high cost of production i.e. $0.05/KWH, which is 15 times higher than hydropower that is $0.0033/KWH to produce. The identified hydropower potential in the country is approximately 41,722 MW. It is also suggested how and where to expand the existing energy resources and exploration of new sources in consistent with future forecasting demand.