Infrastructure of Sustainable Energy Development in Pakistan: A Review

• Main Authors: Sidra Kanwal, Bilal Khan, Muhammad Qasim Rauf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 2020-01-01
• Series: Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy
• Subjects: Biomass energy; geothermal energy; renewable energy source (RES); solar energy; smart grid; wind energy
• Online Access: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9028781/

Pakistan is an energy-resourceful country with vast and untapped renewable energy sources (RESs). The wind, solar, and biomass of the country are practically capable of ending a power sector collapse caused by demand-supply variances. A significant percentage of Pakistan's population resides in rural areas. For rural population, the lack of connection to the mainstream of national development is a direct consequence of frequent power blackouts and, in certain cases, a lack of grid connection altogether. Lucrative features of smart grid are not fully incorporated into the power network yet, but policy-makers are paying attention to increase RES reliance. A comprehensive study describing the renewable energy potential of Pakistan is of importance. This research work attempts to present a collective summary of Pakistan's renewable energy potential. A statistical analysis of the proposed and installed projects in various districts are presented. This paper elaborates the pressing needs of renewable energy integration for resolving Pakistan's energy crisis. Renewable energy projects are acclaimed in this paper for affording higher living standards and better job opportunities than the fossil fuel based industry in Pakistan. Integrating RESs into the national portfolio is guaranteed to offer profound socio-economic benefits to Pakistan's rural population.