In a welcome move, the World Bank has extended a helping hand to Pakistan to overcome its energy woes to certain extent. Yes, the latest announcement regarding provision of over $3 billion to Pakistan for investing in infrastructure development in the energy sector projects is a good omen. 

It may be recalled here that it is not for the first time, any such assistance has been given by the WB. In the pat it also collaborated in the Dasu hydropower project. And off late its main focus are conservations programmers as well with added importance being attached to installation of solar projects.

The assistance plan came under discussion at meeting between the World Bank delegation and Minister for Energy during which the energy woes of the Pak power consumers came under discussion. Right now the Pak power consumers are in a fix due to the rising power prices and are running form pillar to post to make both ends meet.

The recent climate change effects have also made a "devastating impact" on Pakistan's economy and the energy sector. There is no respite in power woes, what we need is to rapidly shift to low-cost indigenous fuel sources which may help us overcome the issues to certain extent. The power consumers are in a fix as to how to cope with the rising prices of the utilities, both electricity and gas. 

On the one hand, the bills have risen manifold to an unprecedented level, while at the same time, the long spells of load-shedding of electricity and low pressure of gas is another issue faced by the power consumers across the country. For long it was felt that there is need for fixing this system in a comprehensive manner.  In this backdrop, it is welcome to note that the government has decided to overhaul the power sector.

The overall system need to be overhauled to stem the line losses and introduce other drastic steps including installation of advanced metering devices and also attracting the masses to the solar energy projects which are low cost and also renewable.  As a matter of fact, our electricity generation and distribution lines and system are in doldrums. But one hopes that the cabinet approval for the expansion of the current installation of advanced meters project from Islamabad to other parts of the country will help resolve the issue of line losses for good.

 On the other hand, the cabinet has also okayed the recommendation of the power division for coming up with low-cost solar power energy steps which are need of the hour.  

We can opt for shifting the existing power units to be run on solar energy during the day as it is a better option compared to running it on imported fuel for power generation. Another step being considered by the government to shift the government offices and buildings on that solar energy which is a commendable suggestion. As a matter of fact, it is high time to look for viable solution. Our energy woes are multiplying with the passage of time. On the one hand, we have been facing increased energy prices during the last many years while on the other hand, the uncertainty on supply side is further exacerbating the issue to unbearable extent. In fact, the main reason behind the ever-increasing electricity and gas prices is the low availability of these two utilities as compared to the rising demands of these two products, mainly during peak demand seasons. 

Not only the masses are faced with the dilemma of high energy charges, their unavailability is also an issue due to which the masses endure long spells of electricity load -shedding across the country while the industrial sector is also in fix as its working is badly affected by power shutdowns due to which they are unable to meet their productions targets. Same is the case with gas supply in the country. While in summer, people face electricity woes, in winter, gas becomes a rare commodity with problems likes extreme low pressure and gas load shedding across the country.

For instance, the country's mega industrial city which is the economic Karachi is subjected to not only low gas pressure but also long spells of gas load shedding in winter during the last many years. And even in summers, the pressure is low for hours in some localities not enough to cook food or run the industrial units. Not only the gas load shedding and low pressures are the issues, the prices of gas have multiplied in recent years and masses find it difficult to pay the bills.

The power sector issues are getting worse with the passage of every day.  During summer season, the demand for electricity is at peak while in winter the gas demand is very high. And to bridge this gap, the government often resorts to load shedding of these two utilities, which make life miserable for the masses both in winter and in summer. Since our resources to produce more electricity and explore more gas and oil are dwindling and the oil prices are very high due to which the power generating units cannot be run as the cost is unbearable.  

However, a little bit lifestyle changes marked by 'early rise in the morning and early going to bed' can help save a lot of energy as in this way, we can avail the sunlight during day for carrying out our daily chores and running our businesses in day light, lessening the burden on the electricity resources which are fast dwindling. It is also feared that these steps may not help overcome the crisis but the fact is that every step has to be ensured whether big or small to conserve energy because we have to work very hard to overcome the country's energy issue. Various small steps together can help overcome the crisis to some extent.   Though everyone harping one's own note, but the reality is that main reason behind the ever-increasing electricity and gas prices is the low availability of these two utilities in the wake of the rising demands of these two products, mainly during peak demand hours.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 09 2022

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