Bio fuel as an alternative and clean energy option for growing energy demand in Pakistan

Jatropha curcas plant is a good agent for bio-fuel production and a tool to contest the climate change. It is a substitute fuel that can be used in diesel engines and supply power analogous to conventional diesel fuel. The current energy scenario in Pakistan is alarming and the growing energy demand is increasing ever at an accelerating pace. More than 70 % of electricity production is dependent on conventional fossil fuels. The indigenous reserves of oil and gas could not fulfill the all energy demands; therefore country has to pay heavy duty on import of oil. Fortunately, Balochistan province of Pakistan has larger area of about 3, 40,000 square kilometer, containing large plain barren land. This is an attractive opportunity for growing jatropha curcas for bio-fuel production to promote it in an International perspective and substitute for rural electrification. Jatropha grows sound on low productivity soil and depends on rainy water about 600 mm per annum, but can survive two to three years of dearth. The paper describes the promotion of jatropha farming in the land of Balochistan province for utilizing the green energy as a local source to meet energy requirements for electricity and transport sector. The treated fuel from jatropha curcas burns more cleanly than gasoline or diesel and the use of bio-diesel create less CO2 emissions. Initially 12,000 acres of land was considered as a pilot jatropha farm, resulting 9,540 tons of oil equivalent for the first five years. The cost benefit analysis is done on the figures given in Pakistan energy year book and the results were obtained by applying different mathematical tools. This production could be utilized for power generation or regulating the transport sector that would help to boost the energy autonomy and improve domestic economic growth.