CSS Current Affairs | Strategies to Enhance Transparency and Accountability in Energy Sector
The following question of CSS Current Affairs is solved by Baber Ali under the supervision of Howfiv’s Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs Coaches. She learnt how to attempt 20 marks question and essay writing from Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Pakistan’s best CSS and PMS English essay and precis teacher with the highest success rate of his students. This solved past paper question is attempted on the pattern taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory and optional subjects for years, and uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- Energy profile of Pakistan: A critical overview
3- Strategies to enhance transparency and accountability in the country’s energy sector
- ✓To digitalize the electricity meter
- Evidence: According to the Karachi Electrics (K.E.), digital meters are very difficult to be tampered with.
- ✓To upgrade the electricity distribution mechanism
- Case Study: The Delhi government provides 24 24-hour electricity for a minimum account of 2 to 3 per cent line losses
- ✓To make the public shift towards green energy sources
- According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Electricity production through renewable sources is five times cheaper than that of non-renewable sources.”
- ✓To introduce a robust accountability system
- Case Study: “The Name and Shame Policy of Canada”
- ✓To minimize electricity theft
- According to the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission, “A total electricity theft of rupees 237 billion did happen in 2022.”
4- Critical Analysis
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
As energy is a catalyst, boosting a country’s social, political, and economic growth, the energy crisis is a significant roadblock in the development of any country. Currently, Pakistan is facing a shortfall of 7500 Mega Watts (M.W.) while having an installed capacity of 41000 MW. In the realm of the crisis, the country must adopt pragmatic measures to ensure its energy sovereignty. For example, the digitalization of electricity meters, the upgradation of the electricity distribution mechanism, and a 180-degree tilt towards green energy sources are needed for the hour. Moreover, minimising electricity theft, introducing a robust accountability mechanism, bringing political elites on a single page, and creating a civic sense among the public are life-saving strategies for the country to adopt. Ultimately, the measures can help the country bring out of the crisis at a bottleneck speed.
Energy profile of Pakistan: A critical overview
To begin with, Pakistan has remained a deplorable state in the context of energy since its inception. At first, the country’s energy profile was significant but not satisfactory enough to make both ends meet; at present, the scarcity has dropped to a surging level. Currently, the country has an installed capacity of 41000 MW, and the major sources of generation power are thermal (58.8), hydel (25.8), nuclear (8.6), and renewable 6.8; yet, the country still has a shortfall of 7500 MW. Thus, the energy state of the country is below the standard line.
Strategies to enhance transparency and accountability in the country’s energy sector
- To digitalize the electricity meter
As the country is facing a drastic problem in the context of energy, it has to adopt some robust measures in order to get out of the crisis. Among the measures, digitalizing the electricity meters sits atop. The meters should be upgraded to global standards. According to the Karachi Electrics (K.E.), digital meters are very difficult to be tampered with. The fact from one of the largest electricity distribution companies in the state signifies that digital meters are safer and more secure than ordinary meters. Moreover, digitalization would provide electricity customers with real-time access to the readings of the electricity they consume. Therefore, the revolutionary step would enhance transparency in the energy sector.
- To upgrade the electricity distribution mechanism
Next to it, the electricity distribution is fragile and outdated; it must be replaced with a strong and updated system. The country must update its system as per the standards of global internationals. For instance, the Delhi government has been providing 24-hour electricity to the whole city for a minimum account of 2 to 3 per cent line losses. On the other hand, the ratio of line losses in Pakistan is 18 per cent, which is quite deplorable. Therefore, the country has a dire need to upgrade its electricity distribution mechanism.
- To make the public shift towards green energy sources
Further, there is a dire need to enable the public to use green energy sources as it would lessen the burden of the government. Further, the step would benefit both the public and the government socially, politically, and economically; simultaneously, the local industry would also see a boom. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Electricity production through renewable sources is five times cheaper than that of non-renewable sources.” As the report depicts, the cost of production from renewable sources is quite low; the public would receive electricity five times cheaper than the current rate. So, the shift towards renewable sources has become indispensable for the country.
- To minimize electricity theft
Additionally, electricity theft must be controlled, as the theft is ruining the country’s economic fabric. Each year, the country faces billions of rupees lost due to theft. According to the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission, “A total electricity theft of rupees 237 billion did happen in 2022.” For Pakistan, being a developing country, the loss of approximately 237 billion dollars every year is quite disappointing, and ultimately, such a huge loss affects the lives of the public. So, a robust mechanism must be constructed to save electricity from theft, and also, a separate department of electric police must be formed, which should be empowered to give strict punishments to the electricity thieves. To summarize, electricity theft must be controlled.
- To introduce a robust accountability system
As the roots of corruption have become strengthened in the energy sector, a strong accountability system must be introduced. The system must be sovereign and empowered to hold the corrupt accountable. As Canada has an accountability policy of “Name and Shame”; Pakistan must adopt it. The policy aims at disrespecting the person who indulges in corruption activities. In the same way, the former must adopt the policy to reduce corruption in the power sector.
Critical Analysis
Critically, Pakistan is multi-potential state in terms of generating power, but it has failed to utilize its capabilities. The country can generate thousands of Megawatts of electricity by utilizing solar, wind, ocean energy. However, the lack of will of doing anything is quite responsible for the country’s current deplorable situation.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the adoption of robust measures, such string accountability system, digitalization of electricity meters, up gradation of existing lines of electricity, and shift towards green energy can help the country get out of the energy crisis. Although there is a shortfall of 7500 MW, but the country can overcome it by implementing the above mentioned steps.
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