‘Hydroelectric power is the cheapest option’ – The Friday Times

A short term solution, he says, is clearing some of the debts, improving the quality of management, and raising the price of electricity for the upper class. Other short term solutions include taking drastic measures on the losses and theft (that can save about 20 percent energy), time management during off load periods and giving people rebate for such initiatives, providing loans in kind on a massive scale to implement small solar and wind energy projects where feasible.

Efficient management is essential to resolving the crisis, he says. “We need to tighten our belts and close wasteful social projects.�

“Solar energy is a great option,� Amir says, “available 330 days a year and for most of the time during the day.� The government should invest in the solar energy on an emergency basis for small industry, social services projects, schools and agriculture. “It should not bank on foreign countries but encourage indigenous talent that can easily manufacture solar panels and batteries. That will also help create a new cottage industry.� He says China is not the best option for seeking help with solar energy. “Many other countries are willing to help us with wind and solar energy. Germany is not only willing to help, but also ready to invest.�

Like the industry, the agriculture sector is also in dire need of energy, Amir says. “Pakistan can benefit from Germany in this regard. Germany can give us water pump designs and we can launch joint ventures.� But that will depend on law and order in Pakistan. “The recent incident of terrorism at the Nanga Parbat base camp in which Taliban killed 10 foreign climbers has terrified people at home and abroad, tarnishing the country’s image.� Attracting foreign investment in the presence of terrorism will be impossible. “Besides economic reforms, Pakistan will have to improve the security situation and change its decades old policy of patronizing jihadi, Islamist, rightwing and militant outfits.�

Dr Pervaiz Amir urges the government to replicate the turbine installment system of the Renala Khurd Sir Ganga Ram initiative, even if Pakistan will have to modify its canal system. “Small efforts by the Punjab irrigation department should be expanded multifold wherever we have a 10 to 15 foot drop in canal flow. Wherever required, we should create such a drop to install turbines. We have a plenty of experts who want work because they are coming back to the country from the Middle East due to forced repatriation.�

Hydroelectric power is the cheapest form of electricity at about one rupee per watt, but Pakistani politicians have not paid attention to it. “Pakistan is plagued by floods during every monsoon. Had we constructed a network of dams, the country could have been saved from floods and stored water which was sufficient to generate electricity, irrigate land and provide drinking water to every citizen of this country.�

Amir says the government should immediately push a new 15,000MW hydropower sites on the Indus at the cost of $15 billion. “This money can come from international financing and a Pakistan Energy Bond cashable in 15 years with 300 percent yield and annual dividends.� The government can also undertake a 12,000MW capacity enhancement project as a replacement work for Tarbela and Mangla dams. “But projects of this nature can only be possible if the benefits are honestly shared among the four provinces.�

Coal, he says, is also an attractive option. “We need to stop paying attention to irrelevant scientific advice and experimentation. Such delays and wishful thinking has brought Pakistan to the brink of disaster.� Pakistan can bring credible expertise in well-known technologies from abroad, and initiate 25-year build-operate-and-transfer projects. “We have done it with the Koreans in the case of the motorway, and the project was successful.�

Solar energy will not reach more than 2.5 percent of Pakistan’s energy mix in the next 20 years, and wind energy will be less than 5 percent. “Our advantage is in hydropower and further oil exploration and coal. To a lesser extent, we can expand and go micro-hydroelectric. In some areas of Balochistan and the Sindh coastal belt, we can also go for bio-fuels provided they do not compete for water with our food security requirements.�

There is a lot of expert advice and many proposed solutions, and many countries are willing to help, Amir says. “The real question is reciprocity. Those who want to help Pakistan wish to know how Pakistan will help them. Pakistan should choose its partners very carefully.�

The writer is our correspondent based in Islamabad. Archived work: www.pol-dev.com
Email: yamankalyan@gmail.com