As the lingering energy crisis in Pakistan sees no end anytime soon, the federal cabinet has come up with a fresh austerity plan to close malls, restaurants and hotels early in order to make up for the energy shortfall challenging the fragile economy of the country by the hour.
The National Energy Conservation Plan, a set of measures to conserve energy and ensure judicious utilization of national resources, has been accorded approval in line with the advice of the Power Division. The government is of the opinion that this initiative, which has been taken in consultation with trade bodies and other stakeholders, will save energy worth around Rs 62 billion per annum, and reduce 30 per cent of energy consumption.
In view of the “grave economic crisis”, the federal ministry of information would be running a campaign on social media, and mainstream electronic and print media to create awareness among the public about the measures being taken under the austerity plan to meet the energy shortfall.
The overall outlook of electricity consumption of the country shows that some 29,000 megawatts electricity was consumed during the last summer and 12,000 MW in the winter. Approximately 17,000 MW more electricity was used in the summer, including 5,300 MW by air conditioners and 12,000 MW by fans.
Another plan is also on the anvil to introduce e-bikes and extra duties on inefficient electric fans to combat the challenges of energy crisis facing the country.
Pakistan’s fragile economy is convulsed by power shortages that at times approach 50 per cent of national demand. The country’s energy problems are arguably rooted in lack of good governance practices more than in the shortfall in the power supply.
The gap between power supply and demand is a complicated issue that threatens Pakistan’s economy and its precarious security situation, while it also adversely affects the lives of residents across the board. Pakistan had surplus energy in term of power generation, but in a short span of time in 2006 it became a power deficient country owing to the negligence of successive governments over the years.
National and international energy experts have pinpointed that the persistent energy crisis has cost the national kitty over $100 billion. It also cost the national economy dearly in terms of loss to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which, according to the World Bank (WB) estimates, was worth $348.26 billion in 2021.
The gap in the energy demand and supply situation, which has plagued the country with unending power outages, has resulted in the flight of capital from the country. It is high time for all the stakeholders to extend the much-needed support to the federal government to come up with a comprehensive and integrated policy for ensuring national energy security. There seems to be no other option except to exercise caution the countrymen to play their role in lessening the country’s energy issue. Electricity is a national and international asset, not someone’s personal possession. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every citizen of the country to ensure that it is utilized in a way to resolve the energy crisis. Without coordinated efforts by the government and all the stakeholders to save energy, it is hard to overcome the energy shortfall, which is feared to worsen in the current year.
