Call for reducing dependence on imported energy
LAHORE: Pakistan can meet future demand more securely through greater reliance on hydropower, nuclear energy, renewables and domestic coal, providing it a cushion to move away from recurring cycle of energy-driven economic crises.
Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq stated this in the Council meeting here Sunday.
With consistent policies and targeted investments, he added, Pakistan now has a credible pathway to reduce its dependence on imported energy. Pakistan’s solar boom is acting as an effective hedge against potential disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. Increased solar adoption is estimated to have reduced oil and gas imports by about 40 percent between 2022 and 2024, generating savings of over USD 12 billion by early 2026, with a further USD 6.3 billion expected by year-end. The main reason is the rapid expansion of solar energy, which now accounts for an estimated 20-25 percent of total electricity consumption when both grid-supplied and off-grid generation are included. Although dependence on imported fuels remains significant as it has fallen by nearly 40 percent ent.
Regarding nuclear energy, he said, it has also emerged as a key pillar of stability. Its share in the energy mix has increased from less than 5 percent in 2015 to over 16 percent today. He said nuclear plants provide consistent and reliable electricity and are largely insulated from international price volatility, making them an essential component of a resilient energy system.
About hydropower, he added, it has also expanded, with generation increasing from about 32,600 gigawatt hours (GWh) to nearly 40,000 GWh over the past decade.
Talking about energy conservation, Mian Kashif said, it is another area where progress has been limited. Simple interventions can yield substantial gains. Retrofitting existing buildings with energy-efficient technologies or replacing inefficient electric appliances such as fans with energy-efficient models, which can reduce electricity consumption by over 50 percent.
At scale, such measures represent one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce demand and ease pressure on the energy system, he concluded. APP
