LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Senior Vice President Almas Hyder has said that the government should focus on power generation to rid the country of energy crisis.
Addressing a conferences on “Economical Fuels for Power Plants in Industries” here at the LCCI, he said that mobilization of local resources is key to success; therefore, Pakistan should also avail full benefit from its indigenous resources for power generation like coal, solar, wind and hydel.
The LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed, Provincial Minister for Mines & Minerals Sher Ali Khan, Convener of Standing Committee Mian Fazal Ahmed, LCCI Executive Committee Members Mian Abdul Razzaq and Mian Zahid Javed Ahmed also shared their views on the occasion.
Hyder said that there is a dire need to shift to alternative energy resources as conventional resources are not only failed to fulfil the rising energy demand but also one of the biggest reasons of trade deficit. He said that dependence on thermal resources could cause huge damage to the economy if an oil price rises again in the international market. He said that shift to the alternative energy sources would bring down the import bill and would also balance the current account.
He said that Pakistan has vast coal reserves that could be used for power generation. He said that modern technology has made possible to use all types of coal for power generation therefore urgent measures in this regard are need of the hour.
“It is high time to adopt alternative energy solutions to address the shortage of energy in our country. Solar and wind energy are the best options but their high cost factor is hindering most of us”, the LCCI Senior Vice President added.
Provincial Minister for Mines & Minerals Sher Ali Khan said that Punjab government is focusing on alternative energy resources. The Minister said that the government is spending sufficient amount of energy and resources for the promotion alternate energy resources. He said that Punjab government is restructuring the mining sector as lack of modern technology is coming in the way of fully exploitation of coal mining. He urged the private sector to come forward and invest in mining sector that would be a great service to the country.
The LCCI Vice President Nasir Saeed said that as like as the developed countries, government should promote alternate energy resources on war footing. He said that Pakistan can produce 100000MW electricity through solar, wind and coal mining. He said that bio energy is an adaptable source that can be used to overcome electricity challenge besides making a considerable contribution to climate change phenomenon. He said that biomass energy has the potential convert a wide variety of wastes into clean energy besides being substitution for diminishing global oil supplies.
Chairman of the Standing Committee Mian Fazal Ahmad said that keeping in view the rising energy demand it is highly imperative to use cheaper fuels and indigenous coal for long term benefits to national economy. He said that with total estimated coal reserves of over 185 billion tons, Pakistan ranks sixth among coal-rich countries but yet coal’s potential has not been exploited adequately. He said that industry should be facilitated through small power generation power plants from alternative energy resources. He called for legislation in this regard.
The experts viewed that bio energy can play a very vital role in production of carbon-neutral fuels of high quality. It can address many environmental issues, especially global warming and greenhouse gases emissions, and foster sustainable development among poor communities. Biomass fuel sources are readily available in rural and urban areas of all countries. They said that we all are aware of the present challenges to our economy and especially the menace widely caused due to severe energy crisis. They said that it is indeed a matter of concern for us that our gas reserves are depleting with the passage of time. Be it domestic or industrial users all have to face shortage of gas in winter season. Even the generation of electricity through gas has to put on halt in this period that further aggravates the situation.
