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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 13 (2009) 1657–1662

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser

Renewable energy technologies in Pakistan: Prospects and challenges

M. Ashraf Chaudhry, R. Raza *, S.A. Hayat
COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road, Lahore 54000, Pakistan

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Article history: Pakistan is an energy-deficient country. This paper accentuates the importance and challenges of new era
Received 25 January 2007 technologies. The renewable energy sources like wind energy, solar energy, geothermal energy, ocean
Received in revised form 18 June 2008 energy, biomass energy and fuel cell technology can be used to overcome energy shortage in Pakistan.
Accepted 29 September 2008
Renewable energy sources and technologies have the potential to provide solutions to the long-standing
energy problems being faced by the developing countries. The expansion of existing energy resources and
Keywords: exploration of new sources is an important exercise to be considered in order to sustain their
Renewable energy
development initiatives.
Wind
ß 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Solar
Geothermal
Hydro-power
Biomass
Fuel cell

Contents

1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1657
2. Choices for Pakistan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1658
3. Renewable energy sources of Pakistan: current position and future prospects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1658
3.1. Solar energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1658
3.2. Applications of the solar energy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1659
4. Biogas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1659
5. Wind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1659
6. Hydropower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1659
7. Biomass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1660
8. Fuel cell technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1660
9. Challenges and essential factors for sustainable development of renewable energy sources in Pakistan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1660
10. R&D organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1661
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1661

1. Introduction Modern society, as we see it today, would have not been possible
without energy. It plays a crucial role in the development and well
Energy is a basic concept in all the science and engineering being of a nation. In fact, the progress of a nation could be gauged in
disciplines. A very important principle is that energy is a conserved terms of how much energy it consumes per person. Energy affects
quantity, i.e. the total amount of energy in the universe is constant. our lives, and livelihoods down to the grass root levels. Energy might
Energy is neither created nor destroyed but just converted from best be described in terms of what it can do. We cannot see energy,
one form to another, e.g. chemical energy into heat, and electrical, only its effects; we cannot make it, only use it; and we cannot destroy
or wind energy into electrical energy, etc. [1,2]. it, only waste it through inefficient use [2].

 Renewable energy: Renewable energy is the energy obtained from

* Corresponding author. regenerative or virtually inexhaustible sources of energy
E-mail address: razahussaini786@gmail.com (R. Raza). occurring in the natural environment like solar energy, wind

1364-0321/$ – see front matter ß 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.rser.2008.09.025
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1658 M. Ashraf Chaudhry et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 13 (2009) 1657–1662

Fig. 1. World total energy-supply in 2000 (IEA).

Fig. 3. A graph showing primary energy supplies by source for the year 2003–2004.

2. Choices for Pakistan

If we look at the primary energy supplies of Pakistan for the year

2003–2004, Fig. 3, oil share is 29%, gas accounts for 50%, while the
remaining 21% are shared between hydro-, nuclear-, liquefied
petroleum gas, and coal energy
A survey of sectoral consumption of different energy sources [1]
would reveal that, the primary energy supplies as indicated in
Fig. 2. World energy consumption as reported by WEA 2000. Fig. 3 are not enough to meet even the present energy demand of
Pakistan. Being energy-deficient country, Pakistan has to spend 3
billion US dollars every year to import oil with annual growth-rate
energy, etc. They are present whether we harness them for of nearly 1% [5]. This means Pakistan, like other developing
practical uses or not. This is also referred as non-conventional countries of the region, is facing a serious challenge of energy
sources of energy. deficit. Renewable energy sources can play an important role in
 Non-renewable energy: Non-renewable energy is the energy meeting this challenge.
obtained from static stores of energy that remain bound unless The situation becomes alarming if we look at the state of a
released by human interaction. Examples are fossil fuels of coal, majority of the people living in remote rural areas having no access
oil, and natural gas. This type of energy is initially in an isolated to the commercial-energy sources. If energy-services are to be
energy potential and external action is required to initiate its extended to the poorest of the poor living in the far-flung areas to
supply for practical utilization. This type of energy is also some raise their standard of living to a respectable level then we must
times called finite energy or conventional sources of energy. have to find some alternate method of providing energy at their
doorsteps. This goal can be achieved by utilizing renewable-energy
The fossil fuels are diminishing rapidly. The exhaustion of sources like wind, micro-hydro, biomass, and biogas.
natural resources and the accelerated demand of conventional
energy have forced planners and policy makers to look for alternate 3. Renewable energy sources of Pakistan: current position and
sources [2,3]. future prospects
The area of renewable energy sources is expanding day by day
and numerous innovations as well as applications are taking place The present situation in Pakistan, there is very small activities of
rapidly. The decentralized renewable energy systems concept has renewable energy resources, on the other hand, the objective of
been recognized as an answer to meeting the energy demands both Pakistan is to achieve 10% of state electricity generation obtained
in the household and in the agro-industrial environment. from renewable resources by 2010 [1,7]. To overcome this
According to International Energy Agency (IEA), in the year deficiency as well to develop suitable environment, marvelous
2000, the share of renewable energy supplies that includes efforts are required.
hydropower, biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and marine energy
was 13% of the total world consumption while about 80% of the 3.1. Solar energy
world’s energy was met from fossil fuels [4], i.e. from coal, gas, oil,
etc., and the remaining 7% is met through nuclear energy. A Pakistan has great blessings of God especially it is idyllically
comparison of global energy supplies and consumption is shown situated in the sun-drenched belt and can get many benefits of
graphically in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. solar energy technologies. The solar energy is lavishly obtainable in
We have limited reserves of fossil fuels and these are rapidly the mostly areas of the country. A daily average of global
depleting. It is believed that after 2050, 50% of the world’s energy- irradiation falling on horizontal surface is about 200–250 watt
supply will come from renewable energy sources. per m2 [9]. It is approximately 6840–8280 MJ/m2 in a year [9]. In
The magnitude of renewable-energy source (RES) such as solar, our province of Baluchistan Sindh and Punjab are affluent in solar
wind, biomass, and geothermal is enormous. It is 140 times the energy. Particularly in Baluchistan, the average daily global
worldwide annual energy-consumption. Presently only 0.1% of irradiation of 19–20 MJ/m2 a day [9] and daily sunshine duration
these are being used. These are enough to meet all our growing about of 8–8.5 h and these statistics are amongst the uppermost in
energy-needs for long-times to come in the future. the universe [1,9]. The said circumstances are idyllic for all solar
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energy applications including solar cell, solar cooker, solar heater, 4. Biogas
etc. [1,6].
Pakistan has achieved relatively heartening developments in Pakistan, also has a one more great bless of God is an
the filed of solar cell technology (PV) technology from last two agriculture-based variety. In our villages every family have a
decades. These are very appropriate at small-scale power sufficient livestock to produce enough animal waste and this can
generation and remote area applications. According to Federal be used for the making of biogas. In our rural areas usually the
bureau of the Pakistan statistics, in the start of 1980s about 18 PV animal waste is burned for the domestic purpose like cooking food,
stations was built up and installed with in capacity of 440 kW [1,9] etc. This waste could be used for producing the biogas at domestic
for the provision of electricity in the different areas of the country. level. So, it is very good opportunity for using biogas to make small
Due to the lack of technical expertise, the performance of these domestic biogas plants in the rural areas of the country.
installed systems is not according to the requirement. But, now The Pakistan Government (now PCRET) started a Biogas project
with the help of government, there are many organizations have in 1974. They specially made 4137 biogas plants by 1987 in the
developed the competence-based technologies, and necessary set rural areas of the country. These plants were designed to grant
up to the development of solar cells and modules. 3000 and 5000 cubic feet of biogas per day for cooking and lighting
At present, the utilization of solar technology in many areas of purposes [8,9]. This programme was launched in three phases [9].
electronics, stationary applications, telephone exchanges, emer-
gency telephones at highway, repeater stations, refrigeration for 5. Wind
vaccine and medicines in the hospitals, etc. According to statistical
date, in the different areas of the Baluchistan, the Department of Wind is also another renewable energy source that could be
Public Health has installed about 20 drinking solar water pumps utilized to overcome the energy crises of the Pakistan. In our
[5,9] in our country, many private and public organizations and country there is no any suitable wind data available. Therefore, the
research institutes are working hard for the development and proper depiction related to the availability of wind energy cannot
improvement of the solar cells and other related technologies. be obtained. There is a marvelous efforts need for the efficient
Many organizations are not only involved in marketing solar study of the wind data at different altitudes of mountains,
cell products and appliances but also fabricating different parts predominantly in the most promising sites along the costal line.
of solar cells and systems. The companies and organization Average wind speed for some selected sites is not enough for wind
having many solar cell (PV) modules, batteries, regulators, power generation to be feasible, although the wind speed can still
invertors, as well as practical low power gadgets for load be utilized to run wind mills to pump water for the areas where it is
shedding such as photovoltaic lamps, battery chargers, garden available at short depths up to 100 ft. [8]. About 1000 km lengthy
lights, etc. [5,9]. coastline in the south and some northern mountains of Pakistan
The perfect utilization of solar energy resources are the two have excellent resources for wind energy [2].
provinces, one is Sindh and second is Baluchistan. According to In this field still Pakistan have no technical expertise and no
survey of federal bureau, the 77% are the rural population in the suitable wind data for installation of wind mills. But some
province of Baluchistan [5,9]. The population concentration is researchers from Karachi University are trying to collect the wind
slightly very small. There is still about 80% the villages of data and also tried to install some wind turbines for power
Baluchistan are yet needed the electricity. The main reason is generation. According to some reports about 30 wind mills have
also that these villages are alienated by large distances. There are been installed for the purpose of pumping water. Presently one
no such connecting roads. Therefore, it is very expensive to connect local manufacturer, Merin LTD., is making windmills for water
them through any transmitting lines. lifting [5,9]. This company sells these mills locally and also to
In the villages of Baluchistan, the mostly houses are hut/shed abroad. One wind mill also made by COMSATS Institute of
type. In addition to food things, electricity is also major need for Information Technology for the training purpose under the
those peoples. Commonly these houses consist of single room. The supervision of UK Engineers and Installed at CIIT, Abbotabad
electricity for each house is about from 50 to 100 W maximum Campus on August 2007. According to email from Executive
[1,9]. It is not economical to provide electricity to individuals. Director Mr. Khurram Sayeed of Planet Energy (Pvt) Pakistan that
Therefore, the solution for these peoples is the only install they have signed a MOU with China’s largest and one of the worlds
small-scale power generation systems like solar cells. If diesel top ten wind turbine manufacturer’s for purchase of turbines for its
generators are used, again there are many problems like planned 50 MW with the option of increasing it to 150 MW. The
transportation of fuel and maintenances and these things make MOU was signed in Urumqui, China.
it again expensive. Due to all above said problems, we can say that
the solar energy is the only and most excellent solution. One effort 6. Hydropower
also from government is that about 100 homes near the capital of
Pakistan, Islamabad are transformed over to solar power to test a Our Northern areas are very wealthy with hydropower
new model for the electricity supplying to the people of resources. So, our main energy source is still only hydropower.
Pakistan [9]. Our 90% electricity depends on it. We have about 12 larger (about
1 MW) hydro-power plants. There are many sites in the high
3.2. Applications of the solar energy topography, where natural and controllable waterfalls are
abundantly exists. The people are isolated in thin cluster and
Solar energy has many applications. This technology is very are placed far from physical infrastructure. Such people can get
simple, relatively low cost, user friendly and also environmentally grand advantages from these energy resources.
free. Such applications like, solar cookers, solar heaters in winters, In the Pakistan, the total capacity for electricity generation is
solar cooling units for the buildings, steam generator, drying for about 19,547 MW. And currently 6600 MW comes from hydro-
the agricultural products and also food products at particular power resources. More than 41,722 MW is identified for hydro-
temperature. One solar water heater also made by COMSATS power potential in the country [14].
Institute of Information Technology and Installed at CIIT, Lahore The micro-hydropower (MHP) up to 100 kW is recoverable and is
Campus on December, 2007. approximately about 300 MW on permanent water falls in northern
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areas of Pakistan. Moreover, there is an enormous potential for (1) Public awareness: This is the initial step and very crucial in
utilization of water falls in the canal network system especially in making the sustainable energy program successful. This should
Punjab, where the low head and high release of water exists on many be carried out through the media and by public and or
canals. In 1910, the Sir Ganga Ram installed a system to generate professional organization. For this reason, necessary informa-
electricity at the BRB Canal. In This system Kinetic energy converted tional input on energy utilization, and environmental impacts
in to electrical energy. This system is some thing different from of renewable energy resources should be provided to public
hydral power because in hydral power potential energy converts into through public and government channels, specialized agencies
electrical energy. But there is no such system installed in Pakistan. and other training facilities.
We can use also this system at our other canals and could provide the (2) Research and development: Significant research is necessary in
electricity at towns’ level [9]. renewable energy technology. R&D projects are vital in pre-
The Pakistan Council for Appropriate Technology (PCAT) now competitive research in low cost manufacturing processes,
called PCRET has installed about 228 ‘‘run of river type’’ [9] plants of testing and evaluation.
3MW capacity in the North Western region. The recipients  Human-resources development: The technology being knowl-
themselves do the civil works of power channel, powerhouse, edge-intensive, need highly qualified and trained manpower
electric poles, and distribution network. But the PCRET provides some for research, development, and deployment of these energy
equipment and supervision with technical expertise. These small technology that cover a wide spectrum of scientific and
hydropower plants provide electricity for domestic purpose and also technical subjects. The universities have to play a very
to run the small industries like flourmills, cotton ginning, etc. [9]. important role to accept this challenge, to introduce new
subject to cater the need of emerging technologies. On the
7. Biomass other hand, the deployment of technologies demand training of
semi-skilled and skilled manpower that can provide the service
The biomass is an efficient and friendly way of disposing of the such as, installation, operation and maintenance; trouble-
public waste that is collected in large quantities daily in different shooting of the system. Such trained manpower is extremely
cities and towns of the country. But unluckily, there is very little important for the source and sustainability of the renewable-
work has been started just now in this decade. energy projects. This wills also buildup new business in areas
like support-structure and other system-components. It will
8. Fuel cell technology help to develop niche/consumer-market. So effective training
will eventually help to establish local industry and commercial
Fuel cell is the electrochemical device that converts chemical activities for generation of income.
energy of the fuel (hydrogen) into electricity at high efficiency  Resource assessment: Reliable data and assessment of energy-
without combustion. It is similar to a battery, that generally sources, technologies, human-resources, research and devel-
combines hydrogen from any of several sources and oxygen opment, etc., are extremely important and essential at all
(which can come from air) to produce electricity, heat, and water. levels, such as planning, pre-feasibility, project-formulation,
Basically, a fuel cell is composed of an anode and cathode, which assessment, analysis, etc. So there is a strong need of
are separated by a liquid or solid electrolyte. Generally the developing necessary resource-assessment tools information
electrodes are permeable or contain channels that distribute databanks.
hydrogen or other substances and oxygen. The electrodes are
frequently accompanied by catalysts, commonly platinum. In Infrastructure development: The basic infrastructure for the
fuel cell, hydrogen atoms enter the cell at the anode where research, development, and deployment of renewable energy
electrons are removed, producing direct current electricity and technology either does not exist or is very poor and inefficient
positively charged ions (protons). Direct current can be in the countries/regions where renewable are most needed.
converted to alternating current by an inverter. The electrons The essential areas are as follows:
flow through an external circuit that extends from the anode to (a) Commercialization: Renewable energy technologies com-
cathode. The external circuit can include electric motor, light- mercialization will require market preparation as well as
ening system and other electrical devices. The hydrogen ions market entry support. Market entry support programs
travel through the electrolyte to the cathode where they should include financial support such as tax incentives for
recombine the electron and oxygen to produce water and heat. early purchasers, per kilowatt production such as the wind
Fuel cells are viewed as viable power sources for many purchase subsidy program, and expansion of the successful
applications including transport, distributed power generations renewable energy program for local, state and government
and portable electronics. and tax exempt entities. Market support also should
This source of alternate energy has not gained much attention include non-financial incentives and consistent, uniform
in Pakistan. Presently, there are two small groups; one at Pakistan treatment of renewable power generation. This includes
Atomic Energy commission and the other at COMSATS Institute of network of dealers, after sale service, up- and down-stream
Information Technology, Lahore who are trying their luck in this support-technology. Such an infrastructure is important for
emerging field. sustainability, growth of the market, and to lower the cost
of technology.
9. Challenges and essential factors for sustainable (b) Decentralized delivery system: RET’s are decentralized in
development of renewable energy sources in Pakistan character, whereas our current experience of handling is
only those of centralized energy-system, which have been
To achieve sustainable development in any area of human entirely different requirements. So we have to develop the
endeavor in general and energy sector in particular one has to take infrastructure that can handle the decentralized energy-
many things into consideration. This means we have to face many delivery systems more effectively and efficiently.
problems and challenges that require planning and concerted (c) Market-development: Renewable energy technologies are
efforts to reach the goal. The main hurdles and challenges, which facing a tough time in competing with the conventional
require immediate attention and possible solutions, are: energy-source. Public sector can play an important role in
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M. Ashraf Chaudhry et al. / Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 13 (2009) 1657–1662 1661

expanding the market by using renewable-energy sources. a. Government Organizations.

Public sector can play an important role in expanding the  Directorate of New and renewable energy, Ministry of
market by using renewable energy technologies on public Petroleum and Natural resources. This department was
building, etc. Market expansion will increase production- responsible for establishment of solar wind turbines village
yield and lower the prices to compete in the free-market. and biogas plants.
Some governments have taken bold steps to increase the  Solar Energy Research Center (PCSIR). The center has been
market-volume of renewable energy technology. For exam- conducting low-level solar thermal applications and has
ple, Germany has installed photovoltaic modules on successfully installed a few solar desalination plants.
government buildings [10], whereas Australia extensively  Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technology involved
used solar energy during Sydney Olympics when stadium in R&D activities in silicon solar cells, micro-hydral projects,
was illuminated using PV, and each house of Olympic-village biogas plants and solar thermal applications.
was provide with PV power and solar water-heater [11].  A National Commission for Alternative Energy (NCAE) has
(4) Educations and outreach: The Universities seeks a comprehen- been established to ensure development of Renewable
sive, multiyear cooperative education program covering all Energies Technologies in Pakistan.
aspect of renewable energy technology. b. Universities.
 The program should include outreach to decision makers and A number of Pakistani universities have remained actively
interested individuals in related professions, communication busy in R & D work related to renewable energy sources. The list
to code officials and general public education. includes:
 Education programs should target students at all levels. NED University of Engineering and Technology Karachi,
 Mid-career education should include training for specify University of Engineering Technology (UET) Lahore, University
build-install-repair professions and trades. of Engineering and Technology (UET) Peshawar, Shaheed
(5) Government participation: There are number of incentives for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology
government to promote RES. Some of these are the clean (SZABIST) Karachi, University of Karachi, University of Baluchi-
environment, new employment-opportunities, and energy- stan, Agriculture University Faisalabad, COMSATS Institute of
independence, provision of social services and improving the Information Technology (CIIT), Lahore, BZ University, Multan,
living conditions in the remote areas, reduction of mass and National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
migration from the rural to urban, and saving of foreign Rawalpindi.
exchange on import of energy. These incentives could provide c. Private Organizations.
enough driving force for the governments to fund and support  Techcorp Holding, Inc., Islamabad.
the development of renewable-energy market [12,13].  Grid Solar, Karachi.
Therefore, the main initiative for the promotion of renew-  Solargy, Karachi.
able energy technology has to come from the governments who  Soltec International, Bahawalpur.
have to make clear-cut long-term energy-policies that must  Merin AgroTools.
include a progressive increase of renewable energy technology  Economia, Islamabad.
component. Target is to be fixed and implemented. Consistent  Firex Solar, Islamabad.
policies with positive climates are a must, to encourage the  Trillium Pakistan, Rawalpindi.
private investors in the field.  Siemens Solar, Lahore.
(6) Technology-transfer: It is extremely important to develop the  Solar Products Incorporated Pakistan, Quetta.
technologies indigenously for the low price and sustainability  FINATRA Alten, Karachi.
of the technology. If some hardware is to be imported, then it  Energen, Karachi.
must be linked with transfer of know-how for value added  Wind Baron, Rawalpindi.
development or complete indigenization. Care must be taken  Volta Batteries, Hattar.
not to make the country a dumping ground for foreign  Alternate Energy Group, Advanced Engineering Research
technologies. Organization, Wah.
(7) Financial incentives: Currently, RET’s largely subsidy-driven. So  Sun power Systems, Karachi.
there is a strong need for initiating bold steps to provide brave  Sahgal Electronics, Rawalpindi.
incentives to deploy renewable energy technologies and to  Sunpack, Faisalabad.
develop the mechanism to provide easy credit facility, to attract  Hagler Bailey, Islamabad.
the investment and market-development. A study has shown
that in the Sun-belt region, only a tax rebate of 15% can make the These organizations have developed and promoted Renewable
PV commercially viable [7] and compatible with the utility. Energy products but most of them remained at modest level and
Government can provide balanced budget resources; provide were unable to go in large-scale production.
credits, subsidies, tax rebates, and soft loans; and develop micro
financing mechanism for this purpose. Definite, positive References
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