Energy Resources of Pakistan: Power Sources and the Energy Crisis (O Level Geography)

Energy is one of the most examined topics in Pakistan Studies Paper 2. You need to know the main sources of power, their advantages and disadvantages, and how Pakistan can solve its energy problems.

1. Thermal Power (Oil, Gas and Coal)

• Natural gas: discovered at Sui in Balochistan in 1952; used for power, industry, fertiliser and homes.
• Oil: produced mainly in the Potwar Plateau, but most oil is imported, which is expensive.
• Coal: the Thar coalfield in Sindh has very large reserves of lignite, now being used for power generation.

Advantages: plants can be built near demand centres and provide steady supply. Disadvantages: expensive imports, air pollution and non-renewable fuel.

2. Hydroelectric Power

Generated at dams such as Tarbela (Indus), Mangla (Jhelum) and Ghazi Barotha. It is cheap to run and renewable, but dams are expensive, take years to build, suffer from siltation, and output falls when river flow is low in winter. It links closely to water resources.

3. Nuclear Power

Pakistan’s first nuclear plant was KANUPP in Karachi; further plants operate at Chashma and near Karachi. Nuclear power gives large, reliable output with low emissions, but it is costly and needs strict safety and waste management.

4. Renewable Energy: Solar and Wind

• Solar: Pakistan receives strong sunshine for most of the year. Large projects such as the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur, and rooftop solar in homes, are growing fast.
• Wind: the Gharo–Jhimpir wind corridor in Sindh has several wind farms.

They are clean and renewable but depend on weather, and need storage and investment.

Causes of the Energy Crisis

• Demand growing faster than supply due to population growth and industrialisation
• Heavy dependence on expensive imported oil and gas
• Transmission and distribution losses, including power theft
• Circular debt in the power sector
• Delays in building new dams and power projects

Effects

• Load-shedding affects homes, schools and hospitals
• Factories cut production, causing unemployment and lower exports
• Higher electricity prices increase the cost of living

Solutions

• Developing local resources such as Thar coal and hydel power
• Expanding solar and wind energy
• Reducing line losses and power theft
• Energy conservation in homes and industry

Exam Tip

For “Should Pakistan develop more hydroelectric power rather than thermal power?”, compare cost, environmental impact, reliability and time to build for each, then give a reasoned judgement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is Pakistan’s main source of electricity?

Thermal power (oil, gas and coal) has historically provided the largest share, followed by hydroelectricity, with nuclear and renewables growing.

Where is the Thar coalfield?

In the Tharparkar district of Sindh.