Muhammad Naseem
Imagine in Pakistan that every home in the future is powered by clean and renewable energy, where the air is free from the suffocating smog fossil fuels. And where the health of its citizen’s needs is met without compromising the health of its citizens. This is not a distant dream but an achievable reality. Pakistan is facing the dual challenges of an energy crisis and environmental degradation, transitioning to an electric future powered by renewable sources is not an option it is a necessity.
Pakistan’s current energy landscape is perilous. The country is relying on fossil fuels, natural gas, oil, and coal accounting majority of the energy consumption. The dependency on these has led to continual power outages, economic strain due to expensive fuel imports, and severe environmental pollution. Despite having the vast potential for renewable energy such as solar and wind, Pakistan’s energy policies and investments have lagged.
In recent years, there have been efforts to incorporate renewable energy into the national grid. The projects like the Quaid-e-Azam solar park and many different Wind farms in Sindh are steps in the right direction. However, these initiatives are insufficient to meet the growing energy demands and combat the pressing issues of climate change.
Several countries have successfully transitioned to renewable energy providing valuable lessons for Pakistan. Germany’s Energiewende (energy transition) has made it a global leader in renewable energy, with significant solar and wind power investments. Denmark has also achieved remarkable success in integrating wind energy into its grid and Costa Rica has generated nearly all its electricity from renewable sources for several years.
Environmental Impact: The transition to renewable energy has profound environmental benefits. Fossil fuel combustion is a major source of greenhouse gasses, contributing to global warming and climate change. By switching to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro, Pakistan can significantly reduce its carbon footprint. And this shift will lead to cleaner air and water benefiting both the environment and public health.
Economic advantages: An electric future that is powered by renewables promises substantial economic benefits. Renewable energy projects could create more jobs in the maintenance, installation, and manufacturing contributing to minimizing the unemployment in the country. Unlike fossil fuels, which are subject to volatile global markets, renewable sources are abundant and are locally available. This can reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuels, stabilize energy prices, and could improve energy security. The cost of renewable energy technologies has decreased over time by making them increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.
Health benefits: the health implications of renewable energy are equally important as of others. Fossil fuel-based energy production contributes to air pollution which is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature deaths. By reducing air pollution, a shift to renewable energy can improve public health outcomes, reduce health costs, and enhance the quality of life for millions of Pakistanis.
The Author is studying strategic studies at National Defence University Islamabad.
