Arshad Mahmood Awan

An energy crisis refers to a situation where there is a significant shortage of energy supply, leading to frequent power outages, load shedding, and supply shortages. The energy crisis is usually caused by a significant increase in energy demand, driven by a growing population, technological advancements, and a surge in economic activities. The energy crisis is a global problem that affects both developed and developing countries, and it has significant social, economic, and environmental impacts.

Energy is an essential resource for social and economic development, and it is used in various sectors of the economy, including education, health, transportation, finance, commercial and services, agriculture, and tourism sectors. The energy crisis has a severe impact on these sectors, leading to a decline in economic growth, reduced productivity, and job losses. It also affects the quality of life of the people, particularly in developing countries, where access to energy is limited.

The energy crisis is mainly caused by the use of non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, which are finite and depleting resources. The demand for energy has increased significantly over the years, and the use of non-renewable energy sources has led to environmental degradation, air pollution, and climate change. The situation is made worse by the fact that many countries are heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which are costly and subject to price fluctuations in the global market.

Renewable energy sources such as biomass, hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear energy are sustainable and reliable sources of energy that can help address the energy crisis. Adoption of renewable energy sources can reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply, and mitigate the environmental impact of energy production and consumption.

Therefore, the energy crisis is a severe problem affecting countries’ social, economic, and environmental well-being. Adopting renewable energy sources is essential to address the energy crisis and ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply. Governments, private sector organizations, and individuals must work collaboratively to promote the adoption of renewable energy sources and reduce the dependence on non-renewable energy sources.

Pakistan is currently in the grip of a severe energy crisis, a situation that demands urgent attention and immediate action. The only viable solution to this pressing problem is the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources. The surge in energy demand, driven by overpopulation, technological advancements, and a surge in economic activities, has led to a significant shortfall in energy supply. According to the World Bank, Pakistan’s energy consumption is projected to surge by 70% by 2030, while production is only expected to increase by 45%. This energy deficit is causing frequent power outages and supply shortages, which are not only impeding social welfare but also stalling economic development.

Despite importing costly fossil fuels, Pakistan still faces energy shortages, with a shortfall of 8500MW, leading to load-shedding of up to 12 hours in rural areas and 10 hours in urban cities. This energy crisis is affecting all sectors of the economy that rely on electricity, including education, health, transportation, finance, commercial and services, agriculture, and tourism sectors.

To sustain the country’s development, there is a dire need to address the energy crisis in Pakistan by using renewable energy sources. These sources include biomass, hydro, wind, solar, and nuclear energy. Biogas energy is the cheapest renewable energy source in Pakistan, providing a sustainable energy source that can reduce the country’s reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Biogas is produced when anaerobic organisms convert human, plant, and cattle wastes into methane gas, which can be used for electricity generation, cooking, and heating. If compressed, it can also be used in vehicles instead of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Pakistan produces 92.53 million tons of cattle dung per year, which can be used to generate almost 4.63 billion m3 of gas, of which 70% can be stored. This has the potential to generate almost 20% of Pakistan’s energy from biogas, which is not only clean but also reliable. However, Pakistan is only producing 0.9% of its energy from biogas, indicating that there is immense untapped potential in this area. Many developed countries, such as the USA, China, and European Countries, are already producing almost 90% of global biogas. The USA uses 70 million tons of organic waste each year as a natural gas source, producing almost 2200 biogas plants, which can create 335,000 construction-based temporary jobs and nearly 23,000 permanent jobs.

Utilizing waste for energy can generate electricity, provide fuel for heating, create jobs, reduce global warming, and contribute to effective waste management. Biogas energy can fulfil the energy needs of rural areas, decreasing the energy dependence on fossil fuels since they can produce their own fuel and electricity. By utilizing cattle and human-created solid wastes, we cannot only fulfil our energy needs but also keep the environment clean. This will also fulfil UN Sustainable Development Goal number 7, which focuses on clean and cheap energy sources. Moreover, it can ensure the energy security of Pakistan, unlike other dependent renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, and solar, except nuclear, which is not dependent but reliable. These sources are reliant on weather conditions that often change, whereas biogas is dependent on waste, which is always available.

Initially, the cost of biogas plants may be higher, but it will decrease the country’s energy shortfall and bring sustainability and reliability to Pakistan’s energy sector. Biogas has diverse benefits, providing an adjustable and sustainable power option, specifically for countries like Pakistan, which produces more waste than countries like the USA. Many developed countries, such as the USA, China, and European Countries, are already producing almost 90% of global biogas. The USA uses 70 million tons of organic waste each year as a natural gas source, producing almost 2200 biogas plants, which can create 335,000 construction-based temporary jobs and nearly 23,000 permanent jobs.

Concludingly, the adoption of renewable energy sources such as biogas energy is the only solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis. The potential to generate almost 20% of Pakistan’s energy from biogas is immense, and utilizing waste for energy can generate electricity, provide fuel for heating, create jobs, reduce global warming, and contribute to effective waste management. Biogas energy can fulfil the energy needs of rural areas, decrease the energy dependence on fossil fuels, and ensure Pakistan’s energy security. While the initial costs may be higher, the long-term benefits of biogas energy will bring sustainability and reliability to Pakistan’s energy sector.

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