Pakistan’s Energy Dilemma: Navigating Coal Reliance and Climate Sustainability.
1. INTRODUCTION:
Pakistan stands at a critical juncture in its energy journey, where the need to meet growing energy demands is colliding with the imperative to mitigate climate change. The country has made significant investments in coal as a source of energy, particularly from its vast domestic reserves in the Thar region, while simultaneously facing the environmental and economic repercussions of its continued reliance on fossil fuels. Understanding this dilemma is key to navigating Pakistan’s energy future, balancing energy security with climate sustainability.
2. Coal Dependency: Pakistan’s Growing Reliance
Pakistan’s energy strategy has increasingly depended on coal as a solution to its chronic energy shortages. The development of the Thar Coalfield is central to this strategy, containing an estimated 175 billion tons of lignite coal. As part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Pakistan has built several coal-fired power plants to harness this resource, with projects such as the Sahiwal and Port Qasim coal plants contributing to the national grid.
In 2024, coal accounts for around 19% of Pakistan’s electricity generation. This shift towards domestic coal has reduced the country’s dependence on imported fuels like oil and natural gas, which are subject to volatile global prices. However, the reliance on coal has created a dependency that poses long-term challenges, both in terms of environmental impact and global energy transitions.
3. Environmental Impact: The Hidden Cost of Coal
While coal provides a short-term solution to Pakistan’s energy needs, it comes with significant environmental costs. Coal combustion is a major source of carbon emissions, contributing to global warming and air pollution. The particulate matter and sulfur dioxide released from coal plants contribute to smog and respiratory diseases in urban areas. These environmental damages strain public health systems and lower the quality of life, particularly for those living near industrial sites.
Additionally, coal mining, especially in areas like Thar, presents environmental risks such as water table depletion, land degradation, and the destruction of local ecosystems. In the global fight against climate change, coal’s carbon-intensive nature makes it one of the most environmentally harmful energy sources.
4. Climate Vulnerability: Pakistan’s Double Burden:
Despite contributing only around 0.9% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan is disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The country is ranked among the top ten most climate-affected countries according to the Global Climate Risk Index. Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events like floods and droughts threaten Pakistan’s agricultural sector, water supply, and overall socioeconomic stability.
This paradox highlights Pakistan’s dilemma: though it contributes little to global emissions, its reliance on coal amplifies local pollution and risks making the country even more susceptible to the global effects of climate change.
Sustainability vs. Energy Security: The Delicate Balance
Pakistan’s energy policy must balance the need for energy security with environmental responsibility. On one hand, coal provides an immediate solution to Pakistan’s power shortages, creating jobs and supporting economic growth, particularly in rural areas like Thar. On the other hand, coal’s environmental degradation and contribution to climate change present significant risks to Pakistan’s long-term sustainability.
The question facing Pakistan is whether it can continue relying on coal while still meeting its climate commitments. As international pressure mounts, Pakistan must reconcile its energy needs with the global push for carbon reduction. However, transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources remains a challenging task given the existing infrastructure investments in coal-based power generation.
5. Potential Solutions: Transitioning to Renewable Energy
Pakistan’s future energy strategy must focus on diversification, incorporating renewable energy to reduce its dependency on coal. The country has significant potential for solar, wind, and hydropower development. Solar power, particularly, offers immense possibilities given Pakistan’s geographic location, which enjoys high solar irradiance throughout the year.
The government has already set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable in the energy mix to 30% by 2030. Projects such as the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and Jhimpir Wind Power Plant are steps in the right direction, but they require scaling to have a meaningful impact. Additionally, investing in energy efficiency, smart grids, and battery storage technologies can help improve energy reliability and reduce wastage.
6. Global vs. Regional Context: A Shift Away from Coal
Globally, countries are moving away from coal as part of their commitments to climate agreements such as the Paris Accord. Nations like Germany and the United Kingdom have set deadlines to phase out coal entirely, and even China, one of the largest coal consumers, is investing heavily in renewable energy as part of its carbon neutrality goals.
Regionally, India presents an interesting comparison for Pakistan. While India remains heavily reliant on coal, it is also aggressively pushing forward with renewable energy initiatives, aiming for 50% of its electricity generation to come from renewables by 2030. Pakistan, by contrast, lags behind in the transition, with its coal dependency becoming more entrenched in recent years.
7.Conclusion: The Way Forward
Pakistan’s energy crossroads presents both challenges and opportunities. While coal dependency has provided short-term energy security, the long-term environmental and economic costs are becoming increasingly apparent. Transitioning to renewable energy is not just an environmental necessity but also a strategic move to safeguard Pakistan’s future against the impacts of climate change. By investing in renewables, modernizing its energy infrastructure, and aligning with global sustainability trends, Pakistan can find a balance between energy security and climate responsibility, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable energy future