Title: Energy and Power Policies of Pakistan: Prospects of Energy Transition

Abstract:

Economic Survey of Pakistan and various other reports recognize that for over a decade (2008-2018), around 2-3 percent of GDP was lost due to the power outages. The underperformance of energy and power sector both at planning and operation levels, as such, have seriously affected the masses. Globally, such challenge has been viewed and resolved with inclusive approach on economy, energy- technology, and energy-society. While energy, as the sector was recognized too late in Pakistan. As such, so far Pakistan does not have any integrated energy policy since its independence. During early days, power sector was primarily recognized as energy sector. However, within power sector planning in late 1960s onwards, water management remained top agenda for governments. In early 1990s, power sector reforms were promised and initiated as well. However, the reform process was not only too slow but at the same time outcome of reforms was little evidently relevant. Various energy and power sector plan and polices were announced thereafter; however, the results of such efforts remained adverse with increased demand-supply gap and evolution of circular debt. The key barriers, however, are not alone associated with government, yet these include unwillingness to pay the price of energy by the consumers, the political stubbornness to maintain the subsidies, administrative and line losses, and, most importantly lack of integrated energy planning and implementation. The failure of conformist approaches emphasis that country explores indigenous resources and adopt globally acknowledged energy transition pathway. An energy transition will have significant implications, as it will bring about essential changes in energy trade balances, and impact economic development. The resultant energy transformation will create new energy leaders and strengthening the significant investments in renewable energy technologies. At this juncture of time, Pakistan, with substantial renewable energy potential, also need to quickly adjust and adopt energy transition pathway as the future sustainability is linked with resilient and microeconomic landscape.

Biography:

Dr Nayyar Hussain is an engineer by profession. He has earned bachelors, master’s in electrical power engineering and doctoral degree in energy system Engineering. Following spanning 10 year in the industry he joined academia in 2012 as Assistant Professor at Mehran UET, Jamshoro. He has published 50+ research papers in national and international research journals and presented 10+ research papers in national and international conferences. Dr. Nayyar took field of research for his Ph.D. thesis, which was related with energy modeling, policy analysis and market research in the energy sector of Pakistan. His Ph.D. research was funded under Pakistan Strategy Support Program of PSSP-USAID in collaboration with International Food and Policy Research Institute (IFRPI), Washington DC, USA, and Planning Commission of Pakistan. He was also awarded multiple travel grants by HEC for present his research work at international conferences held in Iran, UK and Singapore. Based on his research contribution, he has also been member of energy working group of energy wing, Planning Commission, Govt. Pakistan. Presently, Dr. Nayyar Hussain is serving as Associate Professor and active member of energy and environmental research group at Mehran University.