CSS Current Affairs | Prospects for Pakistan Achieving Energy Self-Sufficiency
The following question of CSS Current Affairs is solved by Sadia Jabeen 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-An overview of the energy profile of Pakistan
3-What are the prospects of Pakistan achieving energy self-sufficiency
- ✓It would increase economic growth and job creation
- ✓It would reduce energy costs
- ✓It would bring environmental and infrastructural benefits
- ✓It would bring technological advancements
- ✓It would increase the potential of export
4-Steps that can be taken to achieve energy self-sufficiency
- ✓Improve energy governance by establishing a national energy authority
- ✓Restructuring the energy mix
- ✓Use local resources instead of imported resources for energy production
- ✓Encouraging local manufacturing and innovation
- ✓Expediting the looming projects
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Energy as a catalyst boosts a country’s social, political, and economic growth. Undoubtedly, importing energy and energy-producing fuels and equipment can fulfil the energy needs of a country for the short, yet becoming self-sufficient in energy production is indispensable to achieve permanently. Thus, energy self-sufficiency in achieving energy security is the agenda of many developed countries. Indeed, countries such as China, Germany, and Norway, which have become self-sufficient in local energy production, are getting many socio-economic benefits from it. On the contrary, Pakistan, like many other energy-deficient countries, which is not self-sufficient in energy production and is dependent on imports to fulfil their energy needs, is facing numerous issues related to the energy sector, including energy shortfalls, high energy costs, circular debt and unstable balance of payments. However, producing its energy indigenously would yield numerous benefits for the country, such as energy security with less energy cost, employment opportunities, better infrastructure, and better living conditions for the people. To achieve this, Pakistan needs to restructure its energy mix, use local resources instead of imported ones, and encourage local manufacturing of energy-related equipment. In a nutshell, Pakistan’s energy self-sufficiency would bring many socio-economic developments.
An overview of the Energy profile of Pakistan
According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Pakistan’s primary energy mix consists of hydel 25%, Thermal 46%, nuclear 21%, renewable 7% and a minute percentage of imported electricity. Regarding electricity consumption, according to the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, the country accounts for 47% of households, 8% of commercials, 28% of industry, and 8% of agriculture. However, the government cannot fulfil its energy needs because its domestic energy supplies are limited and rely on expensive energy. Moreover, its generating capacity is also less than demand due to transmission losses and reliance on oil. Yet, all hope is not lost, as every tunnel has light at its end. The country can overcome the issue by producing its energy indigenously. As discussed below, achieving energy self-sufficiency would bring many socio-economic prospects to the government.
What are the prospects of Pakistan achieving energy self-sufficiency
- ✓It would increase Economic Growth and Job Creation
A strong energy sector also contributes to the country’s economic growth. Increased energy production would create jobs and attract investment, stimulating economic activity. According to the annual review of Renewable Energy and Jobs 2022, the size of the local market is one of the most significant factors influencing employment generation in renewables, along with labour and other costs. In Pakistan, local energy projects, such as wind turbines, hydropower plants, and solar farms, would require skilled labour, generating employment opportunities for economic growth.
- ✓It would reduce energy costs
Producing energy indigenously can lead to cost savings. Imported energy often comes with additional expenses, such as tariffs and transportation. According to the Labor Force Survey 2022, about 29% of employed labour works in industries, contributing 25% of GDP and consuming 28% of total electricity. By relying on indigenous resources, Pakistan could mitigate these costs and make energy more affordable for consumers and industries, leading to ease of business. Energy stability with low costs would also enhance people’s living standards.
- ✓It would bring environmental and infrastructural benefits
Transitioning to indigenous renewable energy resources would reduce reliance on imported expensive energy from fossil fuels and have positive environmental impacts. Using local resources would also improve Pakistan’s infrastructure development. As per the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, affordable and clean energy is a key for developing business, communications, agriculture, healthcare, education, and transportation.
- ✓It would bring technological advancements
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the need for energy storage has led to the development of advanced battery technologies, such as lithium-ion and flow batteries, which decreases the cost by 80%. The report highlights that focusing on indigenous energy production would also encourage research and innovation in the country. Pakistan would develop energy storage, grid management, and expertise in renewable energy technologies. Technological advancements would benefit not only the energy sector but also other industries. In particular, the country’s education system would also improve; students would get a chance to do real-time practicals and internships, improving analytical skills and creativity.
- ✓It would increase the potential of export
If Pakistan successfully produces surplus energy, it can explore export opportunities. Neighbouring countries that are deficient in energy might be interested in importing electricity from Pakistan. Exporting energy would generate revenue, leading to economic growth, which would strengthen diplomatic relations with other countries. To illustrate, Germany, being an energy-self-sufficient country, has been earning $18 billion by exporting its electrical energy.
Steps that can be taken to achieve energy self-sufficiency
- ✓Improve Energy Governance by Establishment of National Energy Authority
A single National Energy Authority (NEA) should be established to supervise all institutions in the energy sector. NEA should be robust so that it can coordinate the functions of all other sectors, such as drafting and implementing a large and single energy policy for starting indigenous energy production in the country.
- ✓Restructuring the energy mix
Shifting to renewable energy production can lead to self-sufficiency in energy production because natural resources for producing renewable energy, like sunlight, water, wind, and biomass, are freely available in the country. Therefore, the share of thermal sources in energy production should be reduced to only 11.8%, and a diversified approach should be adopted to increase the share of renewable energy production. Moreover, the autonomous nuclear power vision for the year 2050 to produce 40,000 MW should also be earnestly pursued.
- ✓Use local resources instead of imported resources for energy production.
Instead of importing fossil fuels, indigenous resources should be utilized for energy production. Adequate incentives should be provided for the immediate development of oil and gas potential. The lands where 3D seismic surveys have been completed must be open for the exploration of oil and gas. Furthermore, rather than utilizing imported coal, Thar coal should be explored for its potential conversion into other energy forms that can be used in industries.
- ✓Expediting the completion of looming projects
All thelooming projects, including hydel (Sukikinari 874MW on River Kunhar, Karot 720MW on River Jhelum, Diamir Bhasha 4500MW on River Indus, Kalabagh 3600MW on River Indus), wind (Jhimpir wind power plant 43,000MW), and solar (Quaid-e-Azam solar power plant 25,610MW) have much potential in making Pakistan energy self-sufficient, so work should be started on them. Table talks and negotiations should resolve the conflicts hindering their completion.
- ✓Encourage Local Manufacturing and Innovation
Though shifting to renewable energy -due to locally available natural resources- is considered a step towards energy self-sufficiency, importing the equipment to turn the natural resources into processed energy can again hinder the country from becoming fully self-sufficient. Therefore, the manufacturing of energy-related equipment at the local level should be encouraged, including solar panels, wind turbines, and hydropower components, to reduce dependence on imports from other countries. For this purpose, the government must subsidize the private industry, promote public-private cooperation with transparent regulations, and focus on investing in research labs in engineering universities and technical institutions to innovate new sustainable energy production methods.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s prospects for self-sufficiency in energy production are promising. This would ensure energy security with lower energy costs, employment opportunities, better infrastructure, and better living conditions for the people. However, achieving this goal requires Pakistan to restructure its energy mix, use local resources instead of imported resources, and encourage local manufacturing of energy-related equipment. Moreover, the fundamental elements are strong political will for strategic planning and a commitment to sustainable practices.
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