Natural Energy Resources In Punjab

Energy, mainly in the form of electricity plays a significant role in the socio-economic growth and
social prosperity of any country. The world is heavily dependent on non-renewable resources for
meeting its energy demand. However, these resources are expected to deplete shortly provided
that there is no any other major discovery. As such, if the on-going pattern of energy consumption
is not changed, energy scarcity will become evident. It is, therefore, high time to choose
sustainable power generation, alternatives for overcoming current electricity shortfalls, and
conserving conventional energy resources for future generations. Power generation through
renewable energy resources, solar and wind, is the best available option for investment towards
meeting the rapidly growing electricity demand. As such, at the moment even massive
consumption of indigenous and imported non-renewable resources now seems to be inadequate
formeeting the energy requirements of the country.

However, these defiits unconventional resources can be compensated by harnessing abundantly

available renewable resources such as the wind, solar and biomass energy. Amongst these
renewable energy alternatives, the wind energy scenario is the most attractive and thus, in the
southern wind corridor of Pakistan, which is comprised of appropriate sites for exploring wind
behavior and wind power generation potential, is the focus of study. This part of the country is
comprised of approximately 1100 km of coastal area which has the effective potential of wind
power generation. As per the geographic survey, Pakistan is located at latitude2403700 in North
and longitude 6207500 inEast. The lands apear each overs an area of 803,950km2 (approx.)
which include four provinces, Sindh, Baluchistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtun Khawa (KPK)
alongside special zones of Gilgit-Baltistan and tribal areas in FATA and FANA.

COAL RESOURCES IN PUNJAB

The main coalfields of Punjab are in the Salt-Range and at Makarwal. The total coal resources
are estimated at 235 million tonnes, of which 33 million tonnes are mineable. Punjab coal is
classified as Sub-bituminous, and the heating value ranges from 9,472 to 15,801 Btu/lb. It has low
ash and high sulfur, and is considered suitable for power generation.

Salt-Range Coal

The Salt-Range coalfield covers an area of about 260 sq. km between Khushab, Dandot and
Khewra in the Sargodha and Jhelum Districts of Punjab. The total reserves of the Salt-Range coal
are approximately 213 million tonnes, of which 30 million tonnes are mineable. There are more
than two coal seams present in the Salt-Range but, in most cases, only one is mineable which
varies in thickness from 0.3 m to 1.5 m with an average thickness of 0.75 m. Small power plants
of up to 80 MW can be set up, based on Salt-Range coal. The coal quality is Sub-bituminous and
is suitable for power generation. The coal reserves and analysis of coal samples is at Table.

Moisture (%) 03.20 – 10.80

Ash (%) 12.30 – 44.20
Volatile Matter (%) 21.50 – 38.80
Fixed carbon (%) 25.70 – 44.80
Sulfur (%) 02.60 – 10.70

Makarwal Coal

The Makarwal coalfield is located in the Mianwali District of Punjab. It covers an area of about 75
km, situated near Makarwal town and 13 km west of Kalabagh. The Makarwal coalfield is
connected with the Mari IndusBannu narrow gauge railway line. The coal occurs in the steeply
dipping Hangu Formation and the thickness of its bed ranges from 0.5 to 2.0 m. The coal
resources have been reported to about 22 million tonnes and its quality is reported to be Sub-
bituminous.

MAKARWAL COAL QUALITY & RESERVES

Moisture (%) 02.80 – 06.00

Ash (%) 06.40 – 30.80
Volatile Matter (%) 31.50 – 48.10
Fixed carbon (%) 34.90 – 44.90
Sulfur (%) 02.80 – 06.30

Coal Reserves (Million Tonnes)

Measured 5
Indicated 8
Inferred 9
Total 22
 TYPES OF COAL

Peat
Lignite
Sub-bituminous coal
Bituminous coal
Steam coal
Anthracite
Graphite

AFTER THE COAL HAS BEEN MINED

QADIRABAD COAL POWER PLANT

The power plant is located about (12 mi) from Sahiwal and (9.3 mi) from Okara cantonmant, just
north of the road which connects the two towns, in Pakistan's Punjab Province.
The power plant is Pakistan's first supercritical coal power plant, and consists of two 660-megawatt
(890,000 hp) plants for a combined capacity of 1,320 MW. This is the first phase, and may be
followed by a possible second phase which will include two 1,000-megawatt (1,300,000 hp) plants.
Though the plant is now considered to be part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
which was announced in April 2015, the symbolic ground breaking for the project actually preceded
the announcement of CPEC and took place in May 2014, ]as the government of Punjab in March
2014 invited bids for the construction of two 660MW power plants in order to help alleviate
Pakistan's energy shortfalls.
The plant was built by a joint consortium of China's state-owned China Huaneng Group which will
own 51% of shares, and the Shandong Ruyi, which will hold 49% of shares. The Government of
Pakistan will purchase electricity from the consortium at a tariff of 8.3601 US Cents/kWh. The project
was built on a build, operate, transfer basis in which the plant's ownership will be transferred to the
Government of Punjab after 30 years of operation.
The project site spans a total of 690 hectares (1,700 acres), given by the Government of Punjab free
of charge. The project includes the construction of a railway siding from the village of Yusuf Wala to
the site for exclusive use of the plant.
The plants each consist of one boiler, steam turbine and generator, and are fueled by sub-
bituminous coal which will be offloaded at the project's purpose-built rail terminus. The plants
generate a total of 1,320 megawatts of electricity, with a gross efficiency of 42.11% ] by the use of
a supercritical steam generator operating at temperatures of up to 580 degrees Celsius.
The plant includes an air quality monitoring system(Flue Gas Desulfurization), and an electrostatic
precipitator in order to reduce ash and sulfur emissions from the plant. It requires 60,000 cubic
meters of water daily for operation, with water being drawn from the Lower Bari Doab Canal.  Raw
materials for the plant, including cement, sand, wood, and other buildings materials are being
sourced from Pakistan, while furniture from the plants is being procured specifically from markets in
nearby Sahiwal .
CONSTRUCTION
While symbolic ground breaking for the project took place in May 2014, commencement of actual
civil works began on July 31, 2015. The first of the two 660MW plants was put into operation on May
12, 2017, while the second 660MW plant was put into operation in May 24 2017. An estimated 350
personnel are required to operate the plant, including 200 Pakistani engineers who are to undergo
training in China. Approximately 3000 laborers are required for construction of the plant.
Boiler foundations, and the plant's turbine steel structure have been completed, while the 9-storey
tall boiler structure, chimneys, and cooling towers are under construction as of May 2016. In order to
transport coal, a purpose built railway line will be built from the Pakistan Railway at Yusuf Wala to
the power plant itself. From there, the coal is to be transported via the purpose built railway line. In
order to assist in coal transportation, Pakistan Railways has signed a $214 million contract for the
purchase of 55 diesel electric locomotives from General Electric. Pakistan Railways will also procure
a further 20 diesel electric locomotives specifically for coal transport. In January 2016, the Pakistan
Railways signed a $37 million contract with Jinan Railway Vehicles Equipment Company for the
supply of 800 hopper wagons which will be used to transport coal to the Sahiwal Coal Power
Plant; 580 of these wagons are to be constructed at the Mughalpura railway workshop.
In order to connect the plant to the national electrical grid, a 9.5 kilometer 500 kilovolt single circuit
transmission line will be constructed from the site to the Sahiwal Substation.
COAL SOURCE
As with the Pakistan Port Qasim Power Project, most of the coal used for the power plant is
imported from Indonesia and South Africa, and is transported by rail from the Port of
Karachi and Port Qasim in Pakistan's Sindh Province to the nearby village of Yusuf Wala on
Pakistan's existing railway infrastructure.
An estimated 4.48 million tons of coal will be required annually for the plant, based on a calculation
of 22 hours of power generation per day. Indonesia is identified as a primary source for its high
quality coal, reliable production, and short transit times to Pakistan. Coal from Pakistan's own Thar
coalfield was found to contain excessive amounts of sulfur and lime, and was not deemed to be of
high enough quality for the project. The supply of reliable coal from the fields was also considered to
be inadequate. A mixture of Pakistani indigenous coal with imported coal was also deemed to be
unsuitable as it would decrease heat production from coal, and would compromise safety of the
boilers which are to be used in the project.
FINANCING
The project is expected to cost a total of $1.8 billion. Of this, the Chinese consortium bore 20% of
the cost ($356.4 million) while the remainining 80% ($1.4256 billion) was be financed by a loan from
the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

SOLAR ENRGY
This energy source is widely distributed and abundantly available in the country. The
mean global irradiation falling on horizontal surface is about 200250 watt per per day. This
amounts to about 15003,000 sunshine hours and 1.9 - 2.3 MWh per m per year.
Balochistan province of Pakistan is particularly rich in solar energy. It has an average daily
global insulation of 19 to 20 MJ/ per day with annual mean sunshine duration of 8 to 8.5
hours a day and these values are among the highest in the world (Khalil, Khan and Mirza,
2005). For daily global radiation up to 23 MJ/ , 24 (80%) consecutive days are available in
this area. Such conditions are ideal for PV and other solar energy applications.
 Pakistan can make use of this abundant and widely distributed solar energy for improving
the socioeconomic conditions of the people living in remote areas and to reduce the
poverty level. It is calculated that approx. 40,000 remote villages will be electrified through
solar energy.
Within the broad scope of Solar Power Technologies, following concrete opportunities are
available in both on-gridandoff-grid applications:
i. Village electrification;
ii. Solar water pumps;
iii. Solar water heating and space heating solutions
iv. Outdoor lighting(Solar/LEDs);
v. On-grid solar power projects using solar PV and solar thermal technologies; vi.
Netmetering applications.

There are other options available but it is believed that fast-track development in
solar energy for immediate impact can be obtained by exploiting the abovementionedsegments.

BIOGAS

Energy expenditure can be saved by up to 53.3% with the use of biogas, while this element can
also reduce respiratory ailment and cardiovascular disease by 25%.
These observations were confirmed through the use of biogas plants in the suburbs of Lahore.
These findings were unearthed in a recently published research paper on socioeconomic,
health and agriculture benefits of rural household biogas plants in energy-scarce and
developing countries.

LAHORE: Energy expenditure can be saved by up to 53.3% with the use of biogas, while this element
can also reduce respiratory ailment and cardiovascular disease by 25%.

These observations were confirmed through the use of biogas plants in the suburbs of Lahore. These
findings were unearthed in a recently published research paper on socioeconomic, health and
agriculture benefits of rural household biogas plants in energy-scarce and developing countries.
Published in the International journal of Renewable Energy, the research was conducted by Abdullah
Yasar, Saba Nazir, Amtul Bari Tabinda, Masooma Nazar, Rizwan Rasheed and Muhammad Afzaal
from Sustainable Development Study Centre of GC University Lahore.

The research presents a case study from Pakistan with the sample population from suburbs and slums of
Lahore including villages like Jallo, Bedian, Mehmood boti, Mandiawala, Jia Bagga, Ghanikey, Mouza
Korian Barki, Mouza Opal Barki, Guru Manget, Mouza Pathankey and suburbs of Faisalabad like
Ganga Singh, Ram Diwali and Mamunkanja.

The study is based on the premise of the huge biogas potential that an energy-starved country like
Pakistan needs to explore. According to the research, Pakistan’s livestock accounts for 159 million
animals which create nearly 652 million kilogrammes of manure on a daily basis. This could have the
potential of 16.3 million cubic metres of biogas daily and 20 million tonnes of fertiliser per annum.

A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to focus on factors such as adequacy of energy

supply, source of energy before installation of biogas plant, difficulty in supply and main use of
biogas. As many as 80% of the respondents were facing problems of energy resources and
only 20% were accessing them easily before the installation of biogas plants.

It was established that biogas was effectively able to replace conventional cooking fuel in rural
areas of the country due to the abundance of raw material. Overall, after the installation of a
bio digester, a healthy indoor environment lessened incidence of disease and reduced
workload as well expenses of energy. At the same time, biogas would usher in better sanitary
conditions and save time that can be used to engage in other income generating activities.

A detailed result of the survey in the sample area revealed that biogas technology was mostly
adopted by large families of between 12 and 15 members.

Through the use of biogas, 46.7% of women reported securing benefits such as saving up to
three hours of cooking time, while 23.3% male members reported getting economic benefits
from installation and usage of biogas plant.

Respondents also reported saving money and earning 16.7% more as they were involved on
income-generating tasks. They added there was also a 13% reduction in their workload.

The study revealed that agro-based community was depending heavily on fuel wood before
the installation of biogas plants. After installing them, the commodity was allocated as the lone
source of cooking and heating for 98% of the users. In addition, 85% users were employing
slurry for agricultural input, rendering benefits by reducing expenses of chemical fertiliser and
improving crop yield. Due to use of biogas as a cooking fuel, a monthly saving of around
Rs480 can also be obtained.
Further results in the study revealed that energy scarcity, which is a hurdle in sustainable
development, could be removed through clean and reliable energy sources like biogas. It can
be used as the main component towards energy scarcity that is a serious concern for the
nation. Through the use of biogas plant many social, health and economic benefits are
obtained at the domestic level.

It was found that biogas had benefitted women more than men it reduced the burden of work
due to the sharing of responsibilities.

However, a list of noticeable challenges also emerged in the study, such as the high
investment cost for expansion and increased chances of plant failure after due to the lack of
proper maintenance.

Plant size and consumption

The total number of participants covered by the 51 households included in the study is 529.
The average family size is ten, higher than the national average of 6.8 . Only 12% of biogas
plants were installed in households with 1 to 5 members tallying with the programme criteria to
target larger families. Despite this, there was found to be little, if any, correlation between
plant size and family size/ consumption. This is because whilst those with larger families have
higher consumption needs, they may not have the inputs in terms of the number of livestock
required for the running of a larger plant. The most common plant provided to people was 3the
8m plant, primarily provided to those with a family size of between 6 and 10 (predominately in
Rahim Yar 3Khan where four teen 8m plants were distributed to this size of family).

OCCUPATION

The primary income for 92% of households owning biogas plants is agriculture. This shows
that participant profiles are broadly in line with the programme selection criteria. Only 2 (4%)
biogas plant owners indicated wage labour as their primary source of income. The secondary
income source for 67% of households is livestock, other secondary income sources include
wage labour and small enterprise.

LAND HOLDING PATTERN

The average land holding size of biogas plant owners is 16 acres per household,
much higher than the average national land holding size of 1.38 acres. This is again in line with
the selection criteria for programmed participants. Overall, just 4% indicated to have no land,
these were found to be in Mianwali (15% of plants installed in this region), it is advised that
these cases be investigated further.
LIVESTOCK OWNED

The average number of livestock (cows, oxen, buffalos, camels ) owned by biogas plant owners
is six per household, again much higher than the national average. 33% of households owned
one to three animals, 20% owned ten or more and 2% do not own any livestock (acquiring inputs
for their plants from relatives/ neighbours). 27% of households reported a reduction in their cattle
size after plant installation, leading to a decline in inputs.

There appears to be some correlation between the number of livestock and plant size although
this is only evident if Rahim Yar Khan is removed from the analysis. This is 3because only
plants of size 8m and above were distributed to all households regardless of consumption needs
or livestock size in this region. This may be due to a supply issue and needs to be investigated
further, 3par ticularly the cases of why five 8m plants (two in Rawalpindi – both cases in Fateh
Jang and three in Rahim Yar 3Khan) and a 10m plant (Rahim Yar Khan) was supplied to families
owning 1-3 livestock.

SIZE OF BIOGAS PLANT

The most successful plant size sampled in terms of numbers and the percentage of those
3functioning are the 6m plants. These were tested in Mianwali, although again it needs to be
taken into account that the programme here has only been running for less than two years.
Taking time period into account, Rawalpindi presents the most reliable and tested sample, in
3this region the 5m plant was the most successful with 80% functioning (covering a six-year
3period). T he 8m plant also worked well in Rawalpindi although there are only a few plants in
this sample and they have been in operation for less then two years. The 3 310m and 15m plants
are also functioning in Rahim Yar Khan but this sample is very small with only one 315m plant
installed under the programmed to date. Also due to data gaps during sample selection, cluster
sampling was not possible and from the overall random sample only one plant was assessed out
of seven in 3 10m category, this also reflects the programme focus on smaller plants.

Analysis indicated that 85% of biogas plant owners are not feeding enough dung into their plants
leading to low production levels. 41% of plant owners are using 61-80% of the required amount
of dung; only 14% are putting in the correct amount of dung required. 88% of plant owners
reported that no proper information was provided on this; this is a major reason for low levels of
gas production. As would be expected, analysis shows that as plant size increases, the
percentage of those meeting input requirements decreases. 88% of plant owners reported that
no proper or formal training was provided although 75% did receive Information, Education and
Communication materials (IEC) materials.

TYPE OF PLANT AND FUNCTIONALITY

Two types of biogas technologies have been introduced: the fixed dome comprising 75% of
biogas plants (87% of which are in Mianwali and Rahim Yar Khan)and the floating drum design
constituting 25% of plants (100% of plants in Rawalpindi and 13% in Mianwali). 83% of plants in
Rawalpindi, meaning 83% of those with the floating drum design, are functioning covering a nine
year period. 100% of those from the same design are functioning in Mianwali but it should be
stressed that the sample for the design in this region is very small and only covers plants
installed less than six months previously. 100% of the fixed dome plants are also functioning in
Mianwali although a longer period of testing is needed to come to any firm conclusion on this
design. Only 31% of fixed dome plants are functioning in Rahim Yar Khan but it is understood
that there were problems in the construction of these leading to the early occurrence of faults
and plants closures.

BIOGAS PRODUCTION

The main use for biogas among programme participants is for cooking and in some cases as fuel
for gas lamps also. On average 58% of participants reported their plant to be producing gas for
three or more hours of cooking time on a daily basis which seems adequate to cover cooking
requirements, depending on family size. This percentage is applicable to warmer seasons only.
27% of plants produce more than five or six hours of biogas each day.

Biogas as an alternative source of energy for cooking

Prior to the installation of the biogas plants, wood and coal were the primary sources of energy
for cooking for 94% of participants, the survey found that for 47% of these this is now biogas. For
these participants, wood is now the secondary energy source for cooking, this is partly because
wood is traditionally used to cook bread/ roti on a tandoor stove, this also works much quicker
than a biogas stove. 26% of plant owners reported a decrease in cooking times, whilst 25%
stated that before receiving the biogas plant they had used their own wood for cooking, meaning
that cooking times were already relatively low due to easy collection.

42% of plant owners reported that biogas is fulfilling 81-100% of their daily energy requirements
for cooking and 35% reported it to fill 60% of these. The percentage was largest in Mianwali
where 87% of people reported biogas to be fulfilling 81-100% of their energy requirements.
Those questioned in Rawalpindi gave quite varied responses which may suggest how
expectations and the uses of the plant has changed over time. 43% of overall participants also
reported an 81-100% reduction in energy costs.

Abdul Ghafoor;

beneficiary of biogas
plant in Sadiqabad,
Rahim Yar Khan

\Abdul Ghafoor, aged 36 lives with his extended family in Rahim Yar Khan. There are 15
members of their family which includes four children. They grow sugarcane, wheat and
vegetables on 14 acres of agricultural land; this constitutes their main source of income. Abdul is
also a member of his local Community Organisation (CO) named Walaya. He is an active
member of his organisation and attends the CO meetings in village Kot Faqiraon of a monthly
basis.
There was no gas facility available for cooking before the installation of the biogas plant near
Abdul's house; the family used to spend much of their time and money collecting wood for this
purpose. Abdul was anxious to participate in the biogas programme when it was initiated in his
village and gave his nomination. NRSP initially offered him a cost share of 320% (Rs . 10,000)
toward the 8m plant but due to the size of Abdul's family he requested a 315m fixed dome plant
agreeing to pay a cost share of 40% (Rs. 40,000). Abdul has 15 cattle (cows/ buffalos) which are
enough to meet the input requirements of the plant.

The introduction of the biogas plant reduced the total time spent on cooking (inclusive of wood
collection) by one fourth. This has enabled Abdul and his wife to spend more time with their
children. Abdul says that the smoke from burning wood in the house used to cause coughing and
eyesight problems during cooking but after the installation of the plant, the kitchen is now smoke-
free. The outside area is also cleaner with dung being used for the biogas plant rather than being
left on the ground. They can use the plant for four to five hours on a daily basis fulfilling almost
90% of their energy requirements for cooking although this decreases slightly in winters.
According to Abdul, 80% of his energy costs have been reduced, he is also using the slurry as a
fertiliser. This has helped reduce the use of chemical fertilisers saving a further Rs. 10,000 from
this. The family are using the savings for their children's education and to expand the family farm.