Naveed Akhtar Cheema
Energy security is the ability of a nation to secure sufficient, affordable and consistent energy supplies for its domestic, industrial, transport and military requirements. It means that current and future energy needs have a high probability of being met, irrespective of economic or political instability. There are several dimensions to ensure energy security.
The legislative dimension is the most critical one. This dimension refers to the laws and regulations that govern the energy sector and affect the energy security of a country. For example, laws that promote competition, transparency, efficiency, environmental protection, and consumer rights in the energy market can enhance energy security by reducing market distortions, corruption, waste, and pollution. Laws that facilitate cross-border energy trade and cooperation can also improve energy security by diversifying sources and routes of supply.
The administrative dimension is also equally critical for ensuring energy security: This dimension refers to the institutions and policies that implement and enforce the legislative framework and manage the energy sector. For example, institutions that monitor and regulate the energy market, ensure quality and safety standards, coordinate emergency response plans, and promote innovation and research can enhance energy security by ensuring the reliability, resilience, and adaptability of the energy system.
Infrastructural development is also crucial for energy security. This dimension refers to the physical assets and networks that enable the production, transmission, distribution, and consumption of energy. For example, infrastructures that increase the capacity, efficiency, diversity, and flexibility of the energy system can enhance energy security by reducing losses, bottlenecks, vulnerabilities, and dependence on external suppliers.
Scientific innovations lead the processes of energy security. This dimension refers to the knowledge and expertise that support the development and improvement of the energy sector. For example, scientific research that advances the understanding of energy resources, technologies, markets, and impacts can enhance energy security by providing evidence-based information for decision-making, innovation, and optimization.
Technical upgradation of the system is always vital for energy security. This dimension refers to the skills and tools that enable the operation and maintenance of the energy sector. For example, technical training and equipment that improve the performance, reliability, safety, and efficiency of the energy system can enhance energy security by reducing errors, failures, accidents, and costs.
Raw materials and resources are always significant for energy security. Then, it is also essential to utilize the raw materials up to optimal levels for maximizing the potential. This dimension refers to the availability and accessibility of the natural resources that are used as inputs for the energy sector. For example, raw materials that are abundant, diverse, renewable, and low-carbon can enhance energy security by reducing scarcity, volatility, depletion, and emissions.
Similarly, there are other equally important dimensions. Different dimensions can affect or be affected by energy security, such as economic (the costs and benefits of the energy sector), social (the impacts and implications of the energy sector for society), environmental (the effects and externalities of the energy sector on the natural environment), geopolitical (the relations and interactions between countries regarding the energy sector), ethical (the values and principles that guide the decisions and actions in the energy sector), etc.
Energy security in Pakistan is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a multi-pronged approach to address. Pakistan is required to diversify its energy mix. Pakistan should reduce its dependence on coal and imported energy sources and increase the share of renewable and indigenous energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. This would enhance the availability, affordability, and acceptability of energy, as well as reduce the environmental and climate impacts of the energy sector.
Therefore, there is a need to improve energy efficiency. Pakistan should invest in improving the energy efficiency of its production, transmission, distribution, and consumption systems. It would reduce energy losses, wastage, and demand, as well as lower the costs and emissions of the energy sector.
Accordingly, there is a need to strengthen energy governance. Pakistan should reform and improve its energy governance institutions and policies to ensure transparency, accountability, coordination, and regulation of the energy sector. It would improve the reliability, resilience, and adaptability of the energy system, as well as foster innovation and research in the energy sector.
Importantly, Pakistan should also enhance regional cooperation. Pakistan should enhance its regional cooperation and integration with its neighbouring countries, especially in terms of cross-border energy trade and infrastructure. This would increase the diversity, security, and stability of the energy supply, as well as create opportunities for economic development and peacebuilding in the region. Pakistan can develop better energy relations with Iran and other Gulf countries. For that to happen, Pakistan should proceed with an independent foreign policy. An independent foreign policy is critical for Pakistan to ensure energy security because Pakistan is only partially dependent upon local resources.
Furthermore, the governance model is also vital for ensuring energy security in Pakistan. The political aspect refers to the role of the government and other stakeholders in shaping the vision, strategy, and direction of the energy sector. For example, the government should formulate and implement a coherent and consistent energy policy that aligns with the national interests, priorities, and objectives of Pakistan. The policy should also consider the regional and global context and challenges, such as climate change, energy transition, and geopolitics. The government should also engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration with other actors, such as the private sector, civil society, academia, media, and international partners, to build trust, consensus, and support for the energy policy.
The legislative aspect refers to the laws and regulations that govern the energy sector and affect the energy security of Pakistan. For example, the government should enact and amend laws that promote competition, transparency, efficiency, environmental protection, and consumer rights in the energy market. The government should also facilitate cross-border energy trade and cooperation by harmonizing legal frameworks and standards with neighbouring countries. The government should also ensure that the laws are enforced effectively and impartially by independent and competent authorities. The administrative aspect refers to the institutions and policies that implement and enforce the legislative framework and manage the energy sector. For example, the government should reform and strengthen its energy governance institutions and policies to ensure transparency, accountability, coordination, and regulation of the energy sector.
The government should also improve the performance, reliability, safety, and efficiency of the energy system by investing in infrastructure, technology, human resources, and innovation. The government should also develop and implement emergency response plans and contingency measures to cope with potential shocks and disruptions in the energy supply.
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