The Potential of Hydro, Biogas and Solar Energy in Pakistan

Mohammed G. Douggar

Abstract


Pakistan is heavily dependent on the import offossilfuel to meet her energy demand. Every year, a good part of the country's foreign exchange earnings is spent on the import of oil. The majority of the population has access to conventional energy supplies. Eighty -five percent of the urban population has access to electricity, while people in rural areas consume wood, and animal and crop wastes for their domestic energy needs. The projected energy demand for the future shows that the energy shortage problem will become more serious by 2000 and thereafter. Renewable energy resources especially hydro, biogas and solar energy offer good resource potential. The renewables could meet a significant proportion of the country's energy demand if their potential is developed and exploited.