Green Energy Solutions for Power Crisis in Pakistan

Abstract

Pakistan is one the most energy-hungry countries having power generation crisis and this is affecting every sector of life. The power problems emerged mainly because of inadequate power generation capacity compared with demand and the ageing infrastructure of many existing power generation facilities. Pakistan is full of renewable energy resources specially the hydropower energy, whereas most of this energy just flows as waste in sea. Small Hydropower Plants (SHP) with multiple advantages as reliable and low-cost form of power generators are in the forefront to achieve energy self-sufficiency in Pakistan. This article deals with study of establishing small hydropower units as renewable green energy resource and its utilization at house-hold level. Utilization of Indigenous Energy Resources such as Small Hydropower Plants (SHPs) can play a major role to meet electricity demands in the rural and remote areas of Pakistan. These will in-turn reduce the massive power demand on national grid and increase the reliability and availability of power to industrial sector. SHPs can also be cost-effectively manufactured to power nearby small villages. The small water reservoirs for these Units can be used to irrigate the nearby fields. As part of this study, a practical application will be studied to establish a Small Hydropower Plant on one of many natural springs in Murree Hills mountainous areas. The power generated from this plant will be offered to a local poultry farm and nearby residents.