Overcoming electricity crisis in Pakistan: A review of sustainable electricity options

摘要

Pakistan is facing severe electricity supply shortages, causing forced power outages over the last decade ranging from 8 to 12 h a day in urban areas and up to 18 h in rural areas. The major causes behind the increasing gap between supply and demand are mainly increases in electricity demand on one hand, and depleting energy resources and financial constraints on the other. In this context the government has been taking various measures, including a partial restructuring of the electricity sector under guidelines from international financing institutes. At present, the country is, therefore, not only facing a serious challenge of meeting the electricity demand but is also facing the challenge of ensuring energy security in the context of globally important climate change issues.