ISLAMABAD – Pakistan can generate over 350,000 MW electricity through only wind energy against the country’s total demand of about 21,000 MW peak summer, necessitating solid steps to explore the potential. Official sources in Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) told APP that the country’s has numerous resources to get energy and over 50,000 MW energy could be generated only in Gharo-Keti Bandar corridor where average wind speed is more than seven meter per second.
They said the corridor has potential twice of India and other sites in Balochistan, Punjab, and northern area, which are being identified for power generation. The sources said Pakistan has amongst the world highest and fastest rising urbanisation and electricity is available to only 57 percent of the population while natural gas to 21 percent.
Only 45 percent of rural population has access to grid electricity and there is extreme shortage of electricity and gas leading to load-shedding. The country’s economic growth is also suffering due to load-shedding of gas and power, leading to closures of industries, they added. They said the total installed and dependable capacity of the country’s power sector is 20,231 MW.
Giving breakup, they said 11,735 MW could be get from public sector while 8,496 MW from private sector. “By switching to alternative energy means, Pakistan can reduce dependence on imported oil, running into billions dollars and undermining economic development,” they observed.
Indigenous wind energy resources’ potential at 350,000 MW
