BIOENERGY-CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN PAKISTAN

Shahid Raza*, Abdul Majeed, Saima Hanif and Arifa Tahir

ABSTRACT

Energy being significant environmental issue globally plays a key role in modern society and can serve as an important component in socio-economic development of a country. For the establishment and development of bio- energy production, we require many biotechnological tools at the grass root level. Some developing countries have already been established similar facilities. Despite advancements in technology, people continue to meet their energy requirements for cooking through conventional means by burning biomass resources (i.e., firewood, crop residues and animal dung). Such practices are known to be the source of environmental, social, economic and public health issues. For the achievement in sustainable development, it is important to access clean and affordable (renewable) energy availability for preserving the local and global environment. Country like Pakistan, facing severe energy crush which is extremely affecting the lives of people. In Pakistan, being potentially strong in harnessing different renewable energy resources (i.e. biofuels/bioenergy, hydropower, solar power and wind energy), these resources have not been sustainably taken due to geographical, technical, political and economic reasons. Within this context, Renewable energy (RE) can play an important role to minimize this energy issue and the biggest challenge is the pragmatic renewable energy policy, its implementation through an independent national or energy authority. So there is need of upgrading existing biomass resources (i.e., animal manure, crop residues, kitchen waste and green wastes) for cleaner and more efficient energy carriers having unique potential to provide clean and reliable energy to serve developing nations. However, high costs and lack of expertise in installation and maintenance of sustainable energy technology impede its wide applications in geographically isolated communities. Intensive efforts in facilitating modernization and distribution of bioenergy technology to harness the inherent potential at both governmental and non-governmental sectors that is currently underutilized and unemployed. The intent of this paper pursues the highlights of present status, challenges, and potential of bioenergy technology for further research and development.

Keywords: Country like Pakistan, facing severe energy crush which is extremely affecting the lives of people.