Coal Gasification for Sustainable Development of the Energy Sector in Pakistan
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Pakistan has 19.5 gigawatts (GW) of electric generating capacity. The total power generating capacity has increased rapidly in recent years, due largely to foreign investment, leading to a partial alleviation of the power shortages Pakistan often faces in peak seasons. Rotating blackouts are, however, still necessary in some areas. The rules of the game for generating electricity are changing rapidly. The country's remaining recoverable reserves of crude oil are estimated at 42.28 million tonnes (Mt) (310 million barrels; 1 barrel = 0.1364 t). Thus, there is no prospect for Pakistan to reach self-sufficiency in oil. Pakistan has 853.19 billion cubic metres (Gm 3 ) of proven gas reserves, and currently produces around 104.23 million m 3 (Mm 3 ) per day. While the energy demand is surging in Pakistan, at the same time pressure is building worldwide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan is looking forward to finding ways to overcome the disadvantages of coal resulting from its relatively higher moisture, sulfur and ash content, in order to use this readily-available, indigenous resource to generate clean, reasonably-priced electricity. One way to overcome this problem is to convert coal from a solid to a clean gaseous fuel, which can then be burned like natural gas. When linked with modern combined-cycle turbines, gasification is one of the most efficient and environmentally sound ways of producing electricity from coal. Coal IGCC (integrated gasifier combined-cycle) power plants offer numerous benefits for the environment, power producers and consumers. This technology can help diversify the fuel supply and help balance Pakistan's future dependence on foreign sources of energy.