Research - Review of renewable and nuclear energy.

• Author: Kazmi, S. Kamal Hayder

Byline: S. Kamal Hayder Kazmi

Internationally, major share of energy demand is contributed by the emerging economies, which are rising at a high rate and undergoing drastic demographic alters. The Finance Ministry of Pakistan recorded that in the developed states, the rise in power demand because of higher living standards, is offset by power efficiency gains borne by the use of energy efficient technology and energy conserving infrastructure. Thus, worldwide energy supply is seeing a shift towards renewable energy exploration.

The experts mentioned that the developed states are restructuring their power systems to integrate renewable energy, with visible changes being made on the technological front through switching to low carbon technology in order to make sure power efficiency and mitigate environmental hazards. The Ministry also recorded that China has presently launched 'Energy Production and Consumption Revolution Strategy (2016-2030) encompassing a regulatory framework to lessen air pollution and prescribing market reforms in oil and gas sector.

Furthermore, India's ambitious power strategy aims at attainment of energy security by setting targets for universal electrification, reduction in oil imports, rising renewable energy generation capacity and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments under Paris Climate Agreement to lessen the emissions intensity of the economy by 2030 (World Energy Outlook, 2017). Despite of all above, Pakistan has already framed its energy policy (National Power Policy-2013) in setting medium and long term targets to build a power generation capacity that can meet the country's energy needs in a sustainable manner.

Renewable energy

No doubt, Pakistan is blessed with large potential of wind and solar resources that can be utilized for energy generation. The Government of Pakistan has planned to develop latest wind and solar power projects by competitive bidding instead of upfront tariffs and plans to carry out competitive bidding for almost 1200 MW wind and 600 MW solar power capacity during 2018.

The government statistics recorded that over the previous 5-year, 18 wind power projects of 937.27 MW cumulative capacity have attained commercial operation and are supplying electricity to the national grid, while 6 solar power projects of 418 MW capacity have been made operational. For power generation from bagasse cogeneration, 6 sugar mills having a cumulative capacity of 201.1 MW are operational...