CSS 2012 Solved Current Affairs Past Paper | Resolution of energy crisis of Pakistan
The following question of CSS Current Affairs 2012 is solved by Sir Ammar Hashmi, the best Current Affairs Coach, on the guided pattern of Sir Syed Kazim Ali, which he taught to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question breakdown
The question requires providing solutions to the energy crisis in Pakistan. Since only solutions are asked, it is a must to categorize them in short, medium, and long-term.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Overview of the energy crisis in Pakistan
3-Solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis
3.1-Short-term solutions
- ✓Distributed renewable energy
- ✓Renegotiate IPPs contracts
- ✓Energy conservation measures
3.2-Medium-term solutions
- ✓Expansion of renewable energy, especially solar power
- ✓Expediting the completion of lingering hydropower projects
3.3-Long-term solutions
- ✓Regional energy integration through projects like CASA-1000
- ✓Upgrading of the distribution mechanism
4-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Energy is the most basic need of households as well as commercial consumers, including industries. Its shortage or high cost impacts both equally and on a broader scale, negatively affecting the country’s economy. Similarly, Pakistan has been a long-time victim of the energy crisis. The successive governments have tried various solutions, but most of them have backfired and proved disastrous for the country. Now is the time for the state of Pakistan to undertake serious reforms in the short, medium, and long term to mitigate the energy crisis in Pakistan. In the short term, the state should introduce distributed renewable energy projects, renegotiate IPPs, and implement energy conservation measures. Moreover, in the medium term, the state should expand the scope of renewable energy projects and expedite the completion of pending hydropower projects. Furthermore, in the long term, the state should opt for regional energy integration and upgrade the distribution mechanism. The time to act and tackle the energy crisis is now, before it gets further complicated.
Overview of the energy crisis in Pakistan
Pakistan’s energy crisis is a chronic issue that has severely impacted its socioeconomic development, with electricity shortfalls reaching 7,000–7,500 MW and load-shedding lasting 10–18 hours daily. The crisis stems from an overreliance on expensive imported fuels, an outdated energy mix that generates 80% of electricity from oil and gas, and inadequate investment in renewable energy and infrastructure. High circular debt, now exceeding PKR 2.3 trillion, further exacerbates the problem by crippling energy companies’ ability to maintain operations. Rising global fuel prices, a depreciating rupee, and political instability have exacerbated the situation, resulting in soaring energy costs and public protests. Addressing this crisis requires immediate reforms in the energy sector, diversification of the energy mix towards renewables, investment in modern infrastructure, and regional cooperation to ensure sustainable energy security.
Solution to Pakistan’s energy crisis
The solutions to Pakistan’s energy crisis are categorized into three domains: short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures. These are as follows.
Short-term solutions
Short-term measures are the most urgently required measures to mitigate the energy crisis in Pakistan.
- Distributed renewable energy
First, the state should encourage and facilitate small-scale renewable energy installations to reduce line losses and provide immediate relief to the consumers. One glaring example of such a project is a hydro project on a local canal in Punjab province, where an individual supported by the Punjab government has set up a 140-kW project on a local canal in his village. Furthermore, solar power generation on rooftops is also an example of a distributed renewable energy project. The government should support such projects as they have the potential to mitigate the energy crisis in Pakistan in the short term.
- Renegotiate IPPs contracts
Second, the state should renegotiate the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) contracts by addressing the issue of high capacity payments. These capacity payments are indeed the rental payments made even when electricity isn’t purchased. These payments have significantly contributed to exacerbating Pakistan’s energy crisis. While the government has already taken a positive step in this direction by renegotiating and revoking such agreements with various Independent Power Producers (IPPs), the state should continue on this course to fully eradicate the menace of capacity payments and mitigate the energy crisis in Pakistan.
- Energy conservation measures
Last, the state should introduce various energy conservation measures to mitigate the energy crisis. These include awareness campaigns to instill civic sense among the masses, as well as regulating market timings to maximize the use of sunlight and benefit from solar power. Additionally, the state should transition government properties to solar power and adjust office hours accordingly to mitigate the energy crisis further.
Medium-term solutions
Medium-term measures are less urgent but still need to be implemented within the next 10 years to mitigate the energy crisis in Pakistan effectively.
- Expansion of renewable energy, especially solar power
The expansion of renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, is essential in the contemporary energy sector dynamics in Pakistan. According to a report by the World Bank, Pakistan has a solar power potential of 50 GW, which is sufficient to fulfill the country’s entire energy needs. Still, the government is stuck in a vicious cycle of importing high-cost energy products to meet its energy needs. Thus, the state should promote the further expansion of renewable energy by shifting its focus towards establishing more solar parks in the country to eradicate the energy crisis in Pakistan.
- Expediting the completion of lingering hydropower projects
Multiple hydropower projects have been lingering in Pakistan for many years. These projects include the Diamer-Basha Dam, Suki Kinari hydropower project, and Karot hydropower project. Combined, these hydropower projects can produce over 5000 MW of electricity and have the potential to help the country overcome its energy crisis. Thus, instead of initiating new energy-oriented projects, the state should expedite the completion of these ongoing projects to alleviate Pakistan’s energy crisis.
Long-term solutions
Long-term measures are not urgently required, but they should still be implemented as soon as possible to mitigate the energy crisis in Pakistan effectively. These measures require time and should, therefore, be initiated early.
- Regional energy integration through projects like CASA-1000
As an alternative to expensive imported fuel for energy production, the state should consider projects like CASA-1000 with neighboring and regional countries to secure low-cost and clean energy. These projects have the potential to bridge the trust deficit and boost regional integration and can eradicate the energy crisis in Pakistan,
- Upgrading of distribution mechanism
The distribution mechanism in Pakistan is seriously flawed, with room for significant improvement, including an extremely high level of line losses, which reach nearly 18%. Moreover, the system is vulnerable to manipulation and theft, resulting in substantial losses to the national exchequer. Therefore, the state should undertake serious reforms to upgrade its distribution mechanism and address the energy crisis in Pakistan.
Conclusion
Conclusively, Pakistan’s energy crisis is a longstanding challenge that demands immediate, well-structured reforms. Addressing this issue requires a balanced approach, starting with short-term solutions such as promoting distributed renewable energy, renegotiating costly power contracts, and implementing energy conservation measures. In the medium term, expanding renewable energy sources and completing stalled hydropower projects can significantly improve the situation. For long-term stability, regional energy integration and upgrading the distribution network are essential. Without decisive action, the crisis will continue to hamper economic growth and burden the people. The government must act swiftly to ensure a sustainable and affordable energy future for Pakistan.
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