ISLAMABAD: Energy crisis is the country’s one of the biggest problems its masses are facing these days. However, the government is striving hard to overcome this crisis by launching several hydel, hydral and coal projects to produce electricity.
But experts see a great potential in Pakistan regarding power production through solar energy. A strategy is needed to be evolved to counter the problem of load-shedding as being a developing country we need different micro and macro power projects.
“Pakistan is blessed in a way that sun can be an excellent source to provide this energy. As solar energy needs more sunlight and wind flow, so Pakistan is at the best place because the duration of sunlight and day time is more as compared to other countries,” said Naveed Sub Engineer of Pakistan Meteorological Department.
Power generation through solar energy was suitable for Pakistan in many ways. The most prominent one was its ability to take less time to accomplish as compared to other hydroelectric power projects, he said.
“A hydroelectric power project will take around 10 years to accomplish, while the solar power system will take 2 to 3 years at most for its instalment,” he added. This will be more suitable for Pakistan as in these days as we need electricity and that too on urgent basis to fulfil our energy requirements, Naveed said.
The rates of fuel are increasing consistently in Pakistan and so are the rates of electricity. Solar power in this situation can decrease the dependency on fuel. Moreover, the rate of electricity will also reduce once the dependency over fuel will end.
“We can get the solar energy as long as sun is there and it’s totally free of cost. It just need instalment. Solar energy is a renewable source and will be available for a long period of time,” Naveed mentioned.
According to a report, sunlight will be available for more than 5 billion years. Solar energy is cheaper and flexible as one can install the system depending upon his need of electricity. One of the major problems of our electricity system is that it is not available in far flung rural areas, and where it is available, people get it only for three to four hours. As solar energy has diverse applications and is much more suitable for such areas, so people of these areas can install solar systems and become independent as far as production and consumption of energy is concerned.
Citing the potential of this very source, the government has initiated a number of projects including Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and installation of the system at the parliament house. Pakistan has initiated a solar energy project by the name of Quaid e Azam solar park which will produce around 1000 MW of electricity by the end of 2016. This will be useful in generating much electricity and will be the biggest project of Pakistan.
“The Chinese government had provided a grant through the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) to set up the SPGS system as an alternative source of energy to meet electricity needs of the Parliament House,” said Adviser to Finance Division Rana Asad Ameen in a published report.
Solar energy has an advantage that if one is generating more energy in comparison to his needs; it will be stored in the system and can be transmitted to others as well.
