International Journal of Renewable Energy Development
Vol 12, No 4 (2023): July 2023

Prospects of low carbon development for Pakistan’s energy and power sector in the post Covid scenario

Ubaid ur Rehman Zia (Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad)
Hina Aslam (Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad)
Muhammad Zulfiqar (Mechanical Engineering Department, Capital University of Science and Technology, Islamabad)
Sibghat Ullah (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Management and Technology, Sialkot)



Article Info

Publish Date
15 Jul 2023

Abstract

In the backdrop of COVID19 recovery, Pakistan is still struggling to cope with the economic challenges and disruptions caused in the energy supply chain. On one hand where COVID has brought serious socio-economic costs and prolonged delays, it has also provided opportunity for developing countries such as Pakistan to “build-forward-better” their economies in a more sustainable and climate friendly manner. This study particularly highlights the impact of COVID on energy supply and demand sectors of Pakistan, its near- and long-term impacts, and what policy interventions can be adopted to put Pakistan on-track to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The economic focus in on “Green Recovery” and what key interventions will foster a rapid transition towards decarbonization in Pakistan. Low Emission Analysis Platform (LEAP) model is used to provide energy sector outlook (2020-2040) of Pakistan under different scenario i.e., Pre COVID growth, Business-as-Usual, Slow Recovery, and Green Recovery from COVID. The results obtained from the model depicts that following a green recovery scenario, Pakistan can reduce around 10 Mtoe (9%) of its total energy use, 53 TWh of electricity, 19 Mt of emissions from demand sectors, and 11 Mt of emissions from the power sector by 2030. For total levelized cost of the power sector, the green recovery scenario represents a generation cost of $13 billion by 2030 which further highlights that energy efficiency could lead to cost savings of approximately $3 billion each year by 2030. Green recovery is however still a daunting task as it would require economic stimulus of $8 billion only to recover to its pre COVID scenario and total investments of $120 billion by 2030.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijred

Publisher

Subject

Chemistry Energy

Description

The scope of journal encompasses: Photovoltaic technology, Solar thermal applications, Biomass, Wind energy technology, Material science and technology, Low energy Architecture, Geothermal energy, Wave and Tidal energy, Hydro power, Hydrogen Production Technology, Energy Policy, Socio-economic on ...