Pakistan Faces Big Energy Problems: Nawaz Sharif Speaks Out
Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan is dealing with a serious energy crisis. The demand for energy is going up, but the supply is not enough. This has led to higher power costs and more reliance on imports.
In October 2023, Pakistan had an energy shortage of 6,000 megawatts and had to spend USD 7 billion on imports. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) reported that Pakistan’s total energy capacity is 43,775 MW, but only 7% of this comes from renewable sources.
The energy crisis in Pakistan started in the 1970s. Back then, the Mangla and Tarbela dams helped meet the country’s energy needs. However, in the 1980s, the demand for energy grew quickly due to strong economic growth. The government tried to increase energy production but couldn’t keep up with the demand.
Pakistan relies heavily on non-renewable fossil fuels, which make up 59% of its energy mix. This reliance, along with old transmission lines and other issues like power theft, makes the situation worse. Overpopulation, rapid urbanization, and industrialization also strain the energy infrastructure.
A World Bank report predicts that by 2030, Pakistan’s energy demand will increase by 70%, while supply will only grow by 45%. To fix this, Pakistan needs to invest in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. Currently, only 7% of Pakistan’s energy comes from renewable sources, so increasing this is very important.
Improving the transmission infrastructure and addressing corruption and inefficiencies in energy companies are also crucial steps. Nawaz Sharif, a leader from the PML-N party, has spoken out about the high electricity bills affecting everyone. He urged the current government to take action to help the people.
Doubts Revealed
Nawaz Sharif -: Nawaz Sharif is a politician in Pakistan who has served as the Prime Minister of the country multiple times. He is known for his influence in Pakistani politics.
Energy crisis -: An energy crisis happens when there is not enough energy (like electricity) to meet the needs of people and businesses. This can cause problems like high costs and power cuts.
MW -: MW stands for megawatt, which is a unit of power. One megawatt is equal to one million watts. It is used to measure large amounts of electricity.
USD 7 billion -: USD stands for United States Dollar, which is a type of money used in the USA. When we say USD 7 billion, it means seven billion dollars in American money.
Renewable sources -: Renewable sources are types of energy that can be used over and over again, like sunlight, wind, and water. They are better for the environment compared to fossil fuels like coal and oil.
Energy infrastructure -: Energy infrastructure includes all the systems and equipment needed to produce and deliver energy, like power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks.
