Modern economies rely heavily on energy to operate. However, traditional fossil fuels are unable to fulfill the existing energy demand.
Solar energy is an alternate and sustainable source of energy. It is produced through photovoltaic (PV) cells arranged in a pattern to produce electricity. It has a number of benefits including cost savings on electricity bills, a booming market, and environmental benefits.
Energy Access
Power shortage problems have slowed down industrial production in Pakistan. The huge use of fossil fuels in industrial energy has caused different environmental hazards like air pollution, global warming, and other health issues (i.e. Asbestosis and Peritoneal Mesothelioma).
The solution to this problem lies in renewable energy, especially solar PV. A solar-based electricity system provides a reliable and sustainable source of power that can replace the current fossil fuels used in power generation. It also reduces power shortage and saves the country from the financial burden associated with it.
Achieving this goal will require a major investment in renewable energy. The government is working to make it easier for electricity consumers to invest in solar by introducing policies such as net metering.
Economic Growth
A significant factor impeding Pakistan’s economic growth is energy shortages. Expensive fuel costs, high reliance on imported energy products, chronic natural gas shortages, and significant debt in the power sector have contributed to these problems.
Solar energy can help solve these challenges by addressing the power supply gap in both rural and urban areas. It is a more cost-effective source of electricity than grid-supplied power in remote villages, where grid infrastructure hasn’t been developed.
It is also a promising technology for micro- and mini-grids to serve dozens or hundreds of households in far-flung rural settlements, as it offers superior technical and financial value compared to grid-supplied electricity. NEPRA has recently introduced a net metering policy and tariff regulation that encourages the use of PV systems by commercial consumers.
Premier Energy offers a range of turnkey Grid Tied Solar Solutions from 32KW to 10MW. These are tailored to meet the specific energy requirements of industrial clients.
Employment Opportunities
The energy sector is one of the most important parts of a country’s economy. It supports a wide range of economic activities and plays an essential role in achieving industrial development and growth. However, Pakistan suffers from a severe energy crisis due to long-term load shedding and reliance on expensive diesel generators. These issues are impeding the productivity of industries.
Therefore, it is imperative that we adopt renewable energy sources to meet our growing energy needs and achieve sustainable development. Solar energy has the potential to provide clean, sustainable, and reliable electricity. In addition, it can also create a large number of jobs in the operations, maintenance, and manufacturing sectors.
The government has made several initiatives to promote solar energy in the country. For example, the Pakistan national assembly installed a 2 MW solar system on its building, making it the world’s first parliament that functions entirely on solar energy. The government also offers a net metering scheme, which allows users to feed surplus electricity into the grid and earn credits.
Climate Change
Long periods of power outage devastate the industrial sector and can lead to a decline in production. The reliance on expensive diesel generators to provide energy is also a source of pollution and CO2Es.
Pakistan is blessed with abundant solar irradiance. Nevertheless, it is not fully exploited due to a number of barriers such as the lack of a coherent renewable energy policy, insufficient government support, and poor transmission & distribution infrastructure.
The Pakistani government should develop high-priority programs to support private entrepreneurial talent in the commercialization of solar systems and larger grid-connected units. It can also learn from the experience of Bangladesh, where it has succeeded in commercializing off-grid solar PV systems through a successful public-private partnership. It would have the potential to boost economic growth while reducing energy costs and environmental degradation.
