WAVE ENERGY- A KEY TO BETTER FUTURE OF COSTAL COMMUNITIES!

Even having enough offshore wave energy resources, why we have not installed the cheap and independent power systems yet?

One of the many challenges faced by developing countries, including Pakistan, is Energy Crises. Due to hiking prices of oil and gas, it has become a challenging job for the governments to provide continuous electric supplies for industrial, commercial and household users. Moreover, we could not rely on the fossil fuel for energy needs in long-term. We need to identify renewable resources that could be used for power generation in the future.

When it comes to Pakistan, conditions are more critical. Express Tribune in mid-2018 reveals a report that says Power shortfalls hit the record peak of 9000 MW. This is just the situation of areas that are connected to the National Grid. If you talk about areas and communities those are still deprived of a basic facility of Electricity, it’s an alarming situation for concerned authorities in the country that still we need to supply electric supply to 32000 more villages, as confessed by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority(NEPRA).

Reason to this high number of electric deprived villages and areas is that their connection to National Grid requires huge capital. As Pakistan already facing financial crises, it is not feasible to spend on this problem. Furthermore, the geography of these areas is very complex and it needs Mega Machinery along with the funding to work on this project. 

Although we are facing these complex problems, we have many natural resources and ideas through which we can resolve these problems economically. One of the feasible solutions to energy crises in the current situation is to focus on installing individual small-scale renewable energy projects in remote areas, eventually, reducing the burden on National Grid and enabling it to fulfill energy needs for industries. As these areas Power demands are not so high, we can provide financially viable solutions for assigned tasks.

One of the best renewable resources is tidal and wave Energy. Fortunately, Pakistan is blessed with 1,045 Km long coastal line. Almost 750 km coast lie in Balochistan and remaining 300 km covers the coastal area of Sindh Province. The overall coastline of Pakistan covers five main regions i.e. Gwadar, Lasbela, Karachi, Thatta Coast from Korangi Creek up to the Siri Creek with Indian border and Rann of Kutch from Badin to Tharparker district. Gwadar is considered a new economic and industrial Hub.

A group of engineering students in Balochistan University of Engineering & Technology had done a research project on “Linear Generator System for Wave Energy”. In this Project, Mr. Hashim and his project mates proposed a feasible design for extracting Electric Power through wave energy. The system introduced in this project is economical and it gives guidelines to overcome future energy crises. In results, this engineering group summarised their results. Weather analysis of Pakistan coastal line throughout the year shows that mostly the weather is clear at night in most of the days in a calendar year. When waves produced due to tidal pull of the moon, their linear wave power generator is designed to extract energy from the waves. Wave heights at Pakistani coastal line varies in between two to five meter, so by approximation 1100 KW power can be extracted through their designed wave Power generator. This Power produced is adequate enough to bear the power load of the coastal population of Pakistan. Total emissions through their designed generator are almost nil.

After conducting various tests and experiments, they concluded that wave’s height in Pakistanis coasts is sufficient enough to generate Power through their designed project. So extraction of wave energy is an outstanding solution to fulfill the country energy needs. Currently, it is feasible to start work on this project in Karachi coast, Kimari, Gaddani, and Gawadar. As Gawadar and Karachi are two main industrial Hubs and also the part of ongoing CPEC Project, it is advisable to authorities to start on such projects as soon as Possible.

The author believes that if Government needs to find a permanent and long-term solution to the energy crises, then this project is not only good through the economic point of view but is also technically viable. Government just has to take steps in promoting such projects and actually invite the foreign Investors to invest in such solutions that can fulfill ultimate energy demands.

If we talk on other aspects of this project then you will be pleased to know that this project is not user-friendly but one of the best in its kind. As our government also has deep concerns about pollution and emissions. This project is also environmentally friendly. It doesn’t have any emissions like in the case of Coal and Nuclear Power Plants. It does not affect aquatic life too. Government assistance can play an important role in promoting new technologies in the country.

In short, after complete analysis and different research projects on various renewable resources, it is suggested that Tidal Energy is the best alternative to the former energy production processes. Scientists and researchers already predicted that natural resources are about to end. We need to prepare at our end to control the conditions which we have to face in near future.  Muhammad Arifeen in his article stated that Net Potential of wave and tidal power is greater as compared to wind and solar power. The International Energy Agency estimated that if all the available resources for tidal energy are exploited with accuracy then we would be able to extract 80,000 Tera Wh of electrical power each year. While the current total energy production of the entire world is about 17,400 TWh. 

The government should provide incentives and sufficient grants for these projects. These projects have the potential to empower remote areas at relatively better cost as compared to Grid electricity. Investors should be encouraged to invest in these projects for the betterment of local communities as well as to secure the future of the Nation!