Pakistan has ‘1.9MW solar energy potential’

[Dawood Ibrahim]

LAHORE: A three-day exhibition aimed at bringing together key players and decision-makers in the energy sector on one platform kicked off at the International Expo Centre on Thursday.

SOLAR Pakistan 2017 – the sixth international renewable energy exhibition and conference – showcases technologies and innovative services in the renewable energy generation, distribution and storage sectors.

More than 100 exhibitors from 15 countries will showcase latest energy products and services, providing the visitors with an opportunity to network with industry professionals, get up to date with industry developments, make new business contacts and find potential suppliers, according to the event manager, FAKT Exhibitions’ Khawaja Wahaj.

With eight to nine hours of sunshine per day the climatic conditions in Pakistan are ideal for solar power generation. According to studies, Pakistan has 2.9 million megawatts of solar energy potential besides photovoltaic opportunities.

According to figures provided by FAKT, Pakistan spends about US$ 12 billion annually on the import of crude oil. Of this, 70% oil is used in generating power, which currently costs us Rs18 per unit. Shifting to solar energy can help reduce electricity costs down to Rs 6-8 per unit.

Wahaj said SOLAR Pakistan would focus on decentralised technologies of renewable energy generation, providing an opportunity to highlight the importance of renewable energy sources and how switching to renewable energy sources can benefit and is expected to bring massive investment in Pakistan’s energy sector.

Among several eye-catching and innovative solar technologies on display at the exhibition, one such product is Rick-E, an electronic, solar-powered rickshaw, developed by WRL technologies – a sales and distribution company based in the US and Dubai.

Mehtab Chaudhry, an engineer at the company, told The Express Tribune the noise- and pollution-free Rick-E can run at a maximum speed of 60kmh while its full charge lasts up to 150km, takes 16 to 30 seconds to charge up and is operable in knee-high water.

Chaudhry said the company had also developed a retrofitted kit, which could be installed in other rickshaws and one battery could last up to 45 years. The prices have not been finalised yet, however, one unit is expected to cost around Rs300,000.

She said the company was looking forward to finalising a contract with the Lahore Transport Company in order to bring the rickshaw to the masses.

Another exhibit by researchers from the National University of Science and Technology and the University of Engineering and Technology consisted of researchers showcasing USAID-funded projects aimed at finding innovative and practical solutions for Pakistan’s energy challenges.

UET Peshawar students Muhammad Ishaq and Saad Rashid said their research group was working on a feasible solution to integrate generators with a solar-powered source. “Through our research, we have managed to develop a numerical relay – a fast-response unit that can trip the grid system before any sort of malfunction may damage the grid components,” said Ishaq.

He added the team was working to modify the concept and hoped to formally launch the technology within the next five to six months.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2017.

 

[BMM Solar]

It's right time for investors to start investing into local manufacturing of PV solar systems. Due to it's close proximity to CPEC, local industry can not only fulfill local demand but also can earn valuable foreign exchange through exports.

 

[Mumm-Ra]

A lot of talk about the potential but less on policy initiatives to bring investment to harness this potential.

 

[BMM Solar]

A lot of talk about the potential but less on policy initiatives to bring investment to harness this potential.

On the contrary Pakistan has policies like Distributed generation license and local manufacturing preference in govt. projects but the biggest hurdle in achieving this goal is our 'buy china' mindset and reluctance to produce in house.

 

[Rocky rock]

LAHORE: A three-day exhibition aimed at bringing together key players and decision-makers in the energy sector on one platform kicked off at the International Expo Centre on Thursday.

SOLAR Pakistan 2017 – the sixth international renewable energy exhibition and conference – showcases technologies and innovative services in the renewable energy generation, distribution and storage sectors.

More than 100 exhibitors from 15 countries will showcase latest energy products and services, providing the visitors with an opportunity to network with industry professionals, get up to date with industry developments, make new business contacts and find potential suppliers, according to the event manager, FAKT Exhibitions’ Khawaja Wahaj.

With eight to nine hours of sunshine per day the climatic conditions in Pakistan are ideal for solar power generation. According to studies, Pakistan has 2.9 million megawatts of solar energy potential besides photovoltaic opportunities.

According to figures provided by FAKT, Pakistan spends about US$ 12 billion annually on the import of crude oil. Of this, 70% oil is used in generating power, which currently costs us Rs18 per unit. Shifting to solar energy can help reduce electricity costs down to Rs 6-8 per unit.

Wahaj said SOLAR Pakistan would focus on decentralised technologies of renewable energy generation, providing an opportunity to highlight the importance of renewable energy sources and how switching to renewable energy sources can benefit and is expected to bring massive investment in Pakistan’s energy sector.

Among several eye-catching and innovative solar technologies on display at the exhibition, one such product is Rick-E, an electronic, solar-powered rickshaw, developed by WRL technologies – a sales and distribution company based in the US and Dubai.

Mehtab Chaudhry, an engineer at the company, told The Express Tribune the noise- and pollution-free Rick-E can run at a maximum speed of 60kmh while its full charge lasts up to 150km, takes 16 to 30 seconds to charge up and is operable in knee-high water.

Chaudhry said the company had also developed a retrofitted kit, which could be installed in other rickshaws and one battery could last up to 45 years. The prices have not been finalised yet, however, one unit is expected to cost around Rs300,000.

She said the company was looking forward to finalising a contract with the Lahore Transport Company in order to bring the rickshaw to the masses.

Another exhibit by researchers from the National University of Science and Technology and the University of Engineering and Technology consisted of researchers showcasing USAID-funded projects aimed at finding innovative and practical solutions for Pakistan’s energy challenges.

UET Peshawar students Muhammad Ishaq and Saad Rashid said their research group was working on a feasible solution to integrate generators with a solar-powered source. “Through our research, we have managed to develop a numerical relay – a fast-response unit that can trip the grid system before any sort of malfunction may damage the grid components,” said Ishaq.

He added the team was working to modify the concept and hoped to formally launch the technology within the next five to six months.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2017.

It's 1.9GW "Gigawatt" Solar Energy Potential.

Kindly Change the Title!

 

[coffee_cup]

Who said something like this:

"If potential could feed, Africa would be feeding the whole world"?

 

[Mumm-Ra]

On the contrary Pakistan has policies like Distributed generation license and local manufacturing preference in govt. projects but the biggest hurdle in achieving this goal is our 'buy china' mindset and reluctance to produce in house.

Well if i am putting investments in your country, i would definitely like to ensure that the companies of my native country get the most benefits. Sadly, there are no free lunches.

 

[19CavPK]

First things first.. This is not viable unless you are producing the solar cells yourself. If you keep importing the solar cells... this is too costly and not worth the investment.

 

[BMM Solar]

Well if i am putting investments in your country, i would definitely like to ensure that the companies of my native country get the most benefits. Sadly, there are no free lunches.

Yes, you are right but I was referring to reluctance of local investors. Pakistan typically spends a lot of foreign reserve to fulfill it's need for electrical equipment. If that money is wisely managed we could turn the tables and in turn would be exporting these things. Taping into renewable sources of energy is the need of the hour and the uphill battle of survival for nation states in fulfilling their future energy requirements. If Pakistan can develop aircraft and nuclear weapons, I don't see any reason to why we can't take up this challenge.

First things first.. This is not viable unless you are producing the solar cells yourself. If you keep importing the solar cells... this is too costly and not worth the investment.

It is still worth it as it can replace RFO based power plants. On average a solar plant will generate electricity at around Rs. 15 per unit whereas a diesel plant would cost us around Rs. 30-40 per unit.

We are digging up our own grave.

Pakistan imports generators worth Rs 283 billion in 2016
By:
Staff Report
22-Jan-17

KARACHI: The government could not fulfill its promise of resolving the power crisis in 2016 as the country imported Rs 282.5 billion worth of power generating machinery in the said year.

Despite claims by the government of bringing improvement in the energy crisis, power generating machinery's demand soared as Pakistan spent Rs 172.9 billion on the import of power generating machinery during July-December of the current fiscal, showing 110 percent growth over same period of last fiscal.

This exorbitant rise clearly indicates that the demand for power generating machinery is continuously putting pressure on the import bill of Pakistan, as precious foreign currency is utilized for the import of generators. It is to be noted that Pakistan's monthly average bill for power generating machinery stood at $52 million by 2012, however the lingering power outages pushed this bill gigantically up to $225 million in December 2016.

The government was continuously claiming addition of significant electricity on the national grid last year, but the statistics indicate that the country is still struggling to prevail over the shortage of energy. New fiscal year is still witnessing a gloomy situation in terms of persisting power shortages, which has led to 12 to 15 hours power load shedding per day in the country.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)'s first quarterly report for the fiscal year 2016-17 (FY17) said that the country's import bill grew in current fiscal year led by an increase in machinery imports, the rise in non-oil imports more than offset the decline in Petroleum Oil Lubricants (POL) imports in the period. Machinery imports surged by 60.0 percent year on year (YoY) in the first quarter of FY17 and reached $ 2.7 billion, surpassing POL imports during the period.

In fact, 94.3 percent of the increase in overall imports in the period was due to the rise in machinery imports, the SBP added. A surge in investment in power generation and distribution infrastructure boosted demand for power generation and electrical machinery. Construction activities related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects also put an upward pressure on imports of products like cranes, weighing machinery and compressors, and vacuum pumps, the report added.

 

[Mumm-Ra]

it is logical that with more power projects nearing completion, the generators, cranes etc for these will be imported. Unfortunately, we do not have such type of heavy machinery construction going on in the country otherwise it would have been a wonderful opportunity for them. let's hope that these power project elevate our power crisis and we can increase construction of heavy machinery in Pakistan as well..

 

[zip]

It's 1.9GW "Gigawatt" Solar Energy Potential.

Kindly Change the Title!

View attachment 384455

2.9 million mega watts according to the article which equals to 2900 giga watts!!!

 

[niaz]

2.9 million mega watts according to the article which equals to 2900 giga watts!!!

You are right Sir.

1000 W = 1 KW, 1000 KW =1MW, 1000 MW = 1 GW, 1000 GW = 1 TW (Terawatt)

Therefore 2.9-million MW means 2.9 Terawatt! A bit optimistic I would think.

 

[xyxmt]

Potential!! as if generating solar energy will require a lot of hard work on part of Pakistani public. Sun light has the potential not Pakistan

 

[BMM Solar]

 

[egodoc222]

Yes, you are right but I was referring to reluctance of local investors. Pakistan typically spends a lot of foreign reserve to fulfill it's need for electrical equipment. If that money is wisely managed we could turn the tables and in turn would be exporting these things. Taping into renewable sources of energy is the need of the hour and the uphill battle of survival for nation states in fulfilling their future energy requirements. If Pakistan can develop aircraft and nuclear weapons, I don't see any reason to why we can't take up this challenge.


It is still worth it as it can replace RFO based power plants. On average a solar plant will generate electricity at around Rs. 15 per unit whereas a diesel plant would cost us around Rs. 30-40 per unit.

We are digging up our own grave.

Pakistan imports generators worth Rs 283 billion in 2016
By:
Staff Report
22-Jan-17

KARACHI: The government could not fulfill its promise of resolving the power crisis in 2016 as the country imported Rs 282.5 billion worth of power generating machinery in the said year.

Despite claims by the government of bringing improvement in the energy crisis, power generating machinery's demand soared as Pakistan spent Rs 172.9 billion on the import of power generating machinery during July-December of the current fiscal, showing 110 percent growth over same period of last fiscal.

This exorbitant rise clearly indicates that the demand for power generating machinery is continuously putting pressure on the import bill of Pakistan, as precious foreign currency is utilized for the import of generators. It is to be noted that Pakistan's monthly average bill for power generating machinery stood at $52 million by 2012, however the lingering power outages pushed this bill gigantically up to $225 million in December 2016.

The government was continuously claiming addition of significant electricity on the national grid last year, but the statistics indicate that the country is still struggling to prevail over the shortage of energy. New fiscal year is still witnessing a gloomy situation in terms of persisting power shortages, which has led to 12 to 15 hours power load shedding per day in the country.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)'s first quarterly report for the fiscal year 2016-17 (FY17) said that the country's import bill grew in current fiscal year led by an increase in machinery imports, the rise in non-oil imports more than offset the decline in Petroleum Oil Lubricants (POL) imports in the period. Machinery imports surged by 60.0 percent year on year (YoY) in the first quarter of FY17 and reached $ 2.7 billion, surpassing POL imports during the period.

In fact, 94.3 percent of the increase in overall imports in the period was due to the rise in machinery imports, the SBP added. A surge in investment in power generation and distribution infrastructure boosted demand for power generation and electrical machinery. Construction activities related to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects also put an upward pressure on imports of products like cranes, weighing machinery and compressors, and vacuum pumps, the report added.

15 rupees is too high....in India solar power is selling for as low as 3 rs per unit!