Much has been said and written about the Govt energy conservation plan approved by the current coalition government. While the government claims that it is aimed at cutting down the energy import bill in the wake of unprecedented economic crisis, the traders’ community thinks otherwise.

Traders and businessmen say that such plans were executed in the past as well but they did not produce the desired results. And instead, the business activities were shrunk and added to the common man as reduced commercial hours take toll on the economy of the country. They say that the common man is already running from pillar to post to make both ends meet and with this plan the business activities will shrink and the daily wagers who work for the two or three shifts will be badly affected. Moreover, the reduction in business volume due to shortened business hours will further aggravate the economic crisis.  On the other hand, the government says that it will help control the import bill which is unprecedented in nature due to import of oil etc.

That's why the Govt has also appealed to the nation to save energy and its resources like water, gas and electricity so that the import bill which has risen significantly in the past few years can be controlled. As per government figures, the Govt is allocating $27bn for the import of oil for energy production and it could be halved by fifty percent  if the nation strictly adheres t the Energy Conservation Plan as laid by the Govt. As a matter of fact, there is no respite in power woes, and one wonders as to where to we head? Since our resources to produce more electricity and explore more gas and oil are dwindling and the oil prices are very high due to which the power generating units cannot be run as the cost is unbearable.  However, a little bit lifestyle changes marked by 'early rise in the morning and early going to bed' can help save a lot of energy as in this way, we can avail the sunlight during day for carrying out our daily chores and running our businesses in day light, lessening the burden on the electricity resources which are fast dwindling.

It is also feared that these steps may not help overcome the crisis but the fact is that every step has to be ensured whether big or small to conserve energy because we have to work very hard to overcome the country's energy issue. Various small steps together can help overcome the crisis to some extent.  Though everyone has been harping one's own note, but the reality is that main reason behind the ever-increasing electricity and gas prices is the low availability of these two utilities as compared to the rising demands of these two products, mainly during peak demand hours. What we need is to rapidly shift to low-cost indigenous fuel sources which may help us overcome the issues to certain extent. For years, the power consumers are in a fix as to how to cope with the rising prices of the utilities, both electricity and gas. On the one hand, the bills have risen manifold to an unprecedented level, while at the same time, the long spells of load-shedding of electricity and low pressure of gas is another issue faced by the power consumers across the country. For long it has been felt that there is need for fixing this system in a comprehensive manner.  The overall system need to be overhauled to stem the line losses and introduce other drastic steps including installation of advanced metering devices and also attracting the masses to the solar energy projects which are low cost and also renewable.

As a matter of fact, our electricity generation and distribution lines and system are in doldrums. But in the wake of the recent approval by cabinet regarding the expansion of the current installation of advanced meters project from Islamabad to other parts of the country will help resolve the issue of line losses for good.  On the other hand, the cabinet has also okayed the recommendation of the power division for coming up with low-cost solar power energy steps which are need of the hour. 

We can opt for shifting the existing power units to be run on solar energy during the day as it is a better option compared to running it on imported fuel for power generation. Another step being considered by the government is to shift the government offices and buildings on that solar energy which is a commendable suggestion. As a matter of fact, it is high time to look for viable solution. Our energy woes are multiplying with the passage of time. On the one hand, we have been facing increased energy prices during the last many years while on the other hand, the uncertainty on supply side is further exacerbating the issue to unbearable extent. In fact, the main reason behind the ever-increasing electricity and gas prices is the low availability of these two utilities as compared to the rising demands of these two products, mainly during peak demand seasons. Not only the masses are faced with the dilemma of high energy charges, their unavailability is also an issue due to which the masses endure long spells of electricity load -shedding across the country while the industrial sector is also in fix as its working is badly affected by power shutdowns due to which they are unable to meet their productions targets. Same is the case with gas supply in the country.

While in summer, people face electricity woes, in winter, gas becomes a rare commodity with problems likes extreme low pressure and gas load shedding across the country. For instance, the country's mega industrial city which is the economic Karachi is subjected to not only low gas pressure but also long spells of gas load shedding in winter during the last many years. And even in summers, the pressure is low for hours in some localities not enough to cook food or run the industrial units. Not only the gas load shedding and low pressures are the issues, the prices of gas have multiplied in recent years and masses find it difficult to pay the bills. The power sector issues are getting worse with the passage of every day. During summer season, the demand for electricity is at peak while in winter the gas demand is very high.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 26 2023

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