One thing seems quite clear that the catastrophic phenomenon of climate change has been well-taken by all minds globally. And it’s grappling affects in terms of pollution, global warming, green-house gases (GHG), diseases, forced displacements, mental disorders, food security and health have also been acknowledged. However, strategies towards mitigation, adaptation and resilience are variable in different countries, hence rendering different results in sustainability.
A plethora of terms such as green energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, ocean energy, bioenergy and solar energy are abuzz both in our normal conversations as well as in media. However, I wonder if the true essence of these terms is perceived by a commoner either in literal sense or in practical applications. Keeping in perspective the upcoming ‘International Day of Clean Energy’ on 26th of January, this script focuses on clean energy only. The day was declared by the General Assembly (resolution A/77/327) of the UNO ‘as a call to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet’.
Clean energy refers to energy generated from recyclable sources without emitting greenhouse gases. There is confusion and debate on the definitions of clean, renewable, and green energy such as whether clean energy includes sources that generate environmental side effects besides emissions. The UNO has clearly proclaimed that for vulnerable populations (especially of the developing and under-developed countries) without clean energy access, the lack of reliable power hinders education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and many of these developing regions still rely heavily on polluting fossil fuels for their daily life, perpetuating poverty. If current trends continue, by 2030 one in four people will still use unsafe, unhealthy and inefficient cooking systems, such as burning wood or dung. The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) “ensuring access to clean and affordable energy” is yet to be achieved throughout the world.
It has been reported that Pakistan’s total installed power generating capacity is 43775MW, of which major share is of 59% comes from thermal (fossil fuels) followed by 25% from hydro, 7% from renewable (wind, solar and biomass), and 9% from nuclear. A decrease of 50% in GHG emissions by 2030 has been targeted by the Pakistani government through its clean energy expansion. However, miles are yet to be covered in this aspect.
Solar energy seems most evident for attaining clean energy in Pakistan considering its location in the Warm Climate Zone of the world. Frequent power outages, decreased production, soaring inflation, and mounting debt crisis in the country further augment the use of solar energy. In the last few months, the prices of solar panels have dipped down in Pakistan. However, subsidized solar panels and easy installment plans by the government could easily make solar energy available to masses.
Sohail Mahmood, DG of China-Pakistan Study Centre, Islamabad, apprised in a talk about China’s Rural Solar Policy according to which China is expanding rooftop solar installations of rural communities. He informed that 87.4 gigawatts of solar capacity have been installed in China in 2023. He emphasized that Pakistan, in the footsteps of China, could also advent in solar photovoltaic energy especially in sun-abundant rural areas of Balochistan and Punjab province.
On the sidelines, it seems imperative to mention that Sindh government, with the assistance of World Bank has initiated a step towards installing 200,000 solar units both in rural and urban areas of the province. Similar directional strategies in other provinces could also be materialized.
