Muhammad Umer
Pakistan: A Country Rich in Natural Resources, but Struggling to Keep the Lights On
As children, we were taught that Pakistan is a country blessed with abundant natural resources. However, as we grow older and experience the reality of life in Pakistan, we begin to realize that things are not quite as rosy as we were led to believe. One of the most pressing issues we face as a nation is an inadequate supply of electricity. Despite being blessed with ample hydroelectric potential, coal reserves, and other sources of energy, we are plagued by power outages that occur year-round. The reasons for this are many and varied, but some of the most significant obstacles include poor network expansion, rising demand, inefficiency, and political unrest.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 21-22, the electricity deficit in the country is nearly 9,000 MW when demand peaks in the summer. In the winter, the shortfall surges even higher. Outages in peak season are a common occurrence in cities, and if you live in a rural or remote area, you may be facing load-shedding for up to 18 hours. The question is, why are we facing such a crisis when we have so many resources at our disposal?
One reason is that provincial and federal organizations in Pakistan consume a large proportion of the country’s energy but do not pay their fair share of the bills. This puts a strain on the system and makes it difficult to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure. Another problem is the way in which resources are used. Despite the fact that Pakistan has a wealth of sunlight and other renewable energy sources, we have no policy for harnessing these resources. Furthermore, businesses are closed after sunset, and there is no incentive for individuals or organizations to conserve energy.
The government has attempted to address these issues by boosting electricity production, modernizing the infrastructure for electricity distribution, reducing transmission losses, ending power outages, and lowering the price of electricity in the future. However, these efforts have been hampered by a lack of cooperation from the public. We need to adopt a more proactive approach to energy conservation and make a concerted effort to harness the power of renewable energy sources.
One way to do this is to digitize the country and develop a comprehensive plan for making this happen. By leveraging technology and data, we can create a more efficient and sustainable energy system. This will not only help to reduce the burden on traditional energy sources but also create new opportunities for economic growth and development.
In conclusion, Pakistan is a country rich in natural resources, but we are struggling to keep the lights on. The reasons for this are many and varied, but some of the most significant obstacles include poor network expansion, rising demand, inefficiency, and political unrest. However, by adopting a more proactive approach to energy conservation and harnessing the power of renewable energy sources, we can create a more sustainable and efficient energy system for all Pakistanis.
