Solar Energy- The only way forward

Climate change has a grip on planet Earth with devastating results. A bleak future is predicted unless steps are taken to reduce the damage caused by fossil fuels.

Unusual weather phenomenon is in the news. Extreme temperatures, droughts, floods, forest fires, melting glaciers and out of season hurricanes are all indications of Earth undergoing a dramatic change. Mankind need to rethink its relationship with nature. Solar energy is the only viable option which can slow down the effects of global warming.

In the developing world, specially in the Indo-Pak  subcontinent, there is a dearth of energy sources needed for infrastructure and industrial development. Large expanding population exacerbates the problem. Pakistan with its population of two hundred and twenty million, faces a huge energy deficit. Power shortages cause huge economic losses and the dependence on fossil fuels has had a devastating effect on environment and climate. Energy shortages have led to widespread cutting of forests to provide fuel for domestic usage. This has led to deforestation, which in turn has resulted in landslides, droughts, glacier melting and a rise in average temperatures.

 In an article, Pakistan-The Eighth Most Affected Country From Climate Change, published in The Express Tribune on August 25, 2020, the author, Syed Muhammad Abubakar writes;

“ In the twenty year average of The Long-Term Climate Risk Index ( CRI ), of the ten countries most affected from 1998 to 2017, Pakistan is ranked eighth”

In an article published in collaboration with the World Resource Institute, the author, Tianyi Lou writes;

  “Most power generation consumes water, whether to cool steam in thermoelectric plants or power turbines for hydropower. And the global demand for both water and electricity will continue to increase substantially in the coming decades. Although growth is generally a good thing for the economy, it challenges nations—particularly ones that are water-stressed—to better manage their limited water resources and invest in the right energy systems.

Power generation from solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind is clean and requires zero or little water use. These renewable forms of energy can help countries meet their increased demand for electricity without adding carbon emissions or consuming water. This could be particularly beneficial in countries where growing populations, farms and industries are already competing for scant water supplies”

Similarly, Gerald Reid, Founder and partner, Alexa Capital, writing for World Economic Forum annual meeting, states;

“Over the past decade, the cost of solar has fallen dramatically. New technologies promise to increase efficiency and lower costs further. Solar energy will soon be unbeatable compared to fossil fuels.

Solar energy has come a long way in a decade. Back in 2010, the global market was small and highly dependent on subsidy regimes in countries such as Germany and Italy. This year there will be more than 115 gigawatts (GW) of solar installed across the world, which is more than all other generation technologies put together. It is also increasingly low-cost, especially in sunnier regions where it has already become the lowest-cost form of new electricity generation”

Pakistan depends on expensive imports of oil and gas to fulfill its energy needs which results in ever-increasing cost of utility services. These energy sources have adversely affected the climate and environment. Pakistan is ideally poised to take advantage of the solar revolution with ample solar footprint available year-long. The conversion to solar energy has been slow in coming due to multiple reasons. Vested interests of oil companies, suspect long-term internationally binding contracts awarded to Independent Power Producers, political considerations and lack of a cohesive energy policy has prevented Pakistan to reap the benefits of Solar energy for which the country is ideally placed.

In Pakistan, the first steps towards solar power generation were taken, not by the government, but by individuals. Tired of long power cuts people started using solar panels for small-scale power needs. A small solar panel arrangement could provide enough electricity for a fan and a light bulb. People in villages started using solar panels for mobile phone charging and running of tube wells. Introduction of a comprehensive energy policy has helped in more widespread usage of solar energy. The decision to allow Net metering is a big step. The excess energy produced by domestic units, being fed to the national grid, has reduced the load on it and consequently shortened power outages. Another positive outcome is that domestic users are  switching from gas usage for cooking and water heating to solar powered electricity. This has greatly reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

In conclusion it is an accepted fact that solar power is a clean and renewable energy source and it reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which in turn will greatly reduce the damage being done to nature. Future technological developments will make solar energy cost-effective and it will become the only source that holds a promise of clean and healthy environment for coming generations.

Bibliography

1. Abu Akbar, Syed Muhammad. Pakistan-The Eighth Most Affected Country From Climate Change.Express Tribune. Online News. August 20, 2020
2. Lou, Tianyi. These 20 Water-Stressed Countries Have the Most Solar and Wind

      Potential. Blog. World Resource Institute. wri.org. Online. May 10, 2018

3. Reid, Gerald. The Future Looks Bright for Solar Energy. Article for World Economic

      Forum annual meeting. https://www.weforum.org. Jan 16, 2020

SMAhmed