Renewable energy in Pakistan is a relatively underdeveloped sector; however, in recent years, there has been more and more interest to explore

renewable energy Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable resource, renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human lifetime, human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind pow ...

resources for the

energy production Energy development is the field of activities focused on obtaining sources of energy from natural resources. These activities include the production of renewable, nuclear, and fossil fuel derived sources of energy, and for the recovery and re ...

. Around 10.57% of Pakistan’s total installed power generation capacity (in 2020) comes renewables (wind, solar and

biogas Biogas is a gaseous renewable energy source produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, Wastewater treatment, wastewater, and food waste. Biogas is produced by anaerobic ...

). Most of Pakistan's renewable energy comes from

hydroelectricity Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is Electricity generation, electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies 15% of the world's electricity, almost 4,210 TWh in 2023, which is more than all other Renewable energ ...

. As per the vision of the Prime Minister, there is the aim to “induct 20% of RE by the year 2025 and 30% of RE by the year 2030.”

Solar power

There have been some efforts to install and expand the use of solar energy in Pakistan. The average amount of daily sunlight in Pakistan is eight and a half hours; there are a few cloudy days even in the wettest regions. Eight power generation plants have been installed and eleven are in various stages of completion. Further feasibility studies are undergoing. In December 1981, the first solar

photovoltaic system A photovoltaic system, also called a PV system or solar power system, is an electric power system designed to supply usable solar power by means of photovoltaics. It consists of an arrangement of several components, including solar panels to abso ...

was commissioned, located in Mumniala (a village 60 km from

Islamabad Islamabad (; , ; ) is the capital city of Pakistan. It is the country's tenth-most populous city with a population of over 1.1 million and is federally administered by the Pakistani government as part of the Islamabad Capital Territory. Bu ...

). Four solar systems has been commissioned in Khukhera (Lasbela district), Ghakar (Attock district), Malmari (Thatta district) (now that system is unserviceable) and Dittal Khan Laghari, Digri (Mirpurkhas district).The Punjab government announced the establishment of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park over an area of 5,000 acres in the Cholistan Development Authority in Bahawalpur. A practical example of the use of solar energy can be seen in some rural villages of Pakistan where houses have been provided wit
solar panels
that run electric fans and energy-saving bulbs. One notable and successfully implemented case was the village of Narian Khorian (about 50 kilometers from Islamabad), which employs the use of 100 solar panels installed by a local firm, free of cost; these panels have provide energy through lights and fan facilities to some 100 households. The

alternative energy Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy made from renewable resource, renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human lifetime, human timescale. The most widely used renewable energy types are solar energy, wind pow ...

development board installed 200 solar home systems at District Khuzdar Balochistan in a remote off-grid village Karak. Government of Balochistan launched a programme to electrify off-grid villages of various districts through solar technology.

Wind power

Pakistan is developing wind power plants in Jhimpir, Gharo, Keti Bandar and Bin Qasim in

Sindh Sindh ( ; ; , ; abbr. SD, historically romanized as Sind (caliphal province), Sind or Scinde) is a Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Pakistan. Located in the Geography of Pakistan, southeastern region of the country, Sindh is t ...

. The government of Pakistan decided to develop wind power energy sources due to problems supplying energy to the southern coastal regions of

and

Balochistan Balochistan ( ; , ), also spelled as Baluchistan or Baluchestan, is a historical region in West and South Asia, located in the Iranian plateau's far southeast and bordering the Indian Plate and the Arabian Sea coastline. This arid region o ...

, the project was undertaken with assistance from the government of China. Another area with potential is Swat which shows good wind conditions in windpower investment. The

Chagai District Chaghi District (; ), also known as Chaghi District, is the largest district of Pakistan by area, located in the northwestern corner of the Balochistan province of Pakistan. District shares the border with two countries: Afghanistan and Iran. De ...

in Balochistan has good potential for wind power in the Nukundi area near the Afghan/Iran Border, with wind speeds often 12.5% higher than average required for energy generation. Some examples are: * Jhimpir Wind Power Plant (operational) * Gharo Wind Power Plant (operational) * Bin Qasim Wind Power Project (under construction) * Artistic Energy (Pvt.) Ltd. (Operational) * Artistic Wind Power (Pvt.) Ltd. (Operational)

Micro Hydropower

More than 3000 MW of microhydropower potential exists in Pakistan, but only 150 MW has been utilized so far. The T15 turbine, which meets international standards, is currently being used locally.

Tidal power

Tidal power Tidal power or tidal energy is harnessed by converting energy from tides into useful forms of power, mainly electricity using various methods. Although not yet widely used, tidal energy has the potential for future electricity generation. T ...

has not yet been operational in Pakistan compared to other renewable energy technologies. In

, two sites, creek system of

Indus delta The Indus River Delta forms where the Indus River flows into the Arabian Sea, mostly in the southern Sindh province of Pakistan with a small portion in the Kutch Region of India. The delta covers an area of about , and is approximately across ...

of 170 km and two to five metres tidal heights at the Korangi Creek, are available to exploit the tidal energy. Sonmiani Beach and Kalamat are also good prospects of tidal energy in

. The government issued licenses to private companies to develop tidal power stations in February 2013. Since then, engineering work has been underway, with an initial proposal for a 10 MW plant at Sonmiani Bay. Construction was originally expected to begin by the end of 2013..

References

External links

solar system in karachisolar company Pakistansolar panels in Pakistan
{{Renewable energy by country https://www.ferozepower.com/solar-system-in-karachi/