Energy Resource and Sustainable Economic Growth

Energy Resource and Sustainable Economic Growth

  September 09, 2019    Fantasy

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Profile of Electricity Generation:

Main organization responsible for Electricity Generation

•    The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and
•    Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC)

Responsibilities of main organizations

•    Power generation
•    Transmission and
•    Distribution of electricity
•    The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant, (KANUPP), a public sector organization
•    And some independent private producers (IPP) are also involved in power generation

Energy Resource & Sustainable Economic Growth

•    Adequate and assured supply of electricity is a pre¬requisite for sustained economic growth.
•    Despite having an enormous potential of energy resources, there is a shortage of energy supplies which is severely affecting the domestic, industrial and commercial sectors.

Reasons for shortage of energy in Pakistan:

Power plants not working at full capacity

•    Many of the power plants are not working to their full capacity due to financial constraints, lack of technical expertise and maintenance facilities.

Reduction in water flow in winters

•    During the winter season the hydel power generation decreases with the reduced flow of water in the rivers.

Losses of electricity

•    The national grid system supplies electricity to all the provinces. Long transmission lines cause losses of electricity.

Siltation

•    Siltation in the reservoirs of dams also causes disruption in electricity generation by reducing the flow of water.

Power Theft

•    Power theft occurs on a large scale.
•    Until recently the ghastly loss and theft from Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) was approxi¬mately 41%. That is, 41% of the electricity generated was not paid for by those using it.
•    Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) suffered about 21% losses in transmission and distribution.

High price of fuels

•    The high price of fossil fuels increases the cost of electricity generation.

Growing demand

•    Industrialization, urbanization and rural electrification have increased demand for electricity.

Private Sector Power:

•    Government is encouraging the private sector to invest resources in power generation
•    Out of 19 projects 5 have commenced commercial operation and are delivering power. Hub Power Project is generating 1292 MW