Chief Minister Punjab has made a passionate comparison between solar and hydel power claiming that a 100MW solar plant generates cheaper power than a 100MW hydel power plant. This is a wrong comparison as Pakistan’s problem cannot be solved by 100MW solar plants. We need thousands of MW of cheap power yearly that can only be provided by a mega hydel dam alone like KBD that could produce 3,600 MW of power and irrigation water for 4 to 5 million acres.
A solar plant does not provide any water but is dependent on expensive infrastructure along with difficulty to connect it with national grid being located in a far flung deserted area. Unfortunately, the enlightened CM does not mention economy of scales. As many as 36 solar plants would be needed to match a megadam for power generation. Both water and power generation would have to be considered for comparing solar power with hydel power. The PML-N government is water blind as it considers power as the only panacea for Pakistan while our agriculture that provides food and fiber for humans and industry as well, does not register on the radar of the PML-N which could change the destiny of Pakistan. Only Allah Almighty can change the direction of our rulers as all human efforts have failed to show them the light of the day.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore
