ISLAMABAD, Jan 27: Germany was interested in extending cooperation to Pakistan in the area of renewable energy where the assumed gap between energy generation and demand would widen, said the Ambassador of Germany, Dr Michael Koch.

“We want to help solve this difficult and painful problem of power shortages, improve energy efficiency by helping Pakistan government and attracting German companies to come and explore possibilities of renewable energy,” the Ambassador said at a press conference held at the embassy where he explained how Pakistan stood to benefit from International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) that was established in Germany, devoted to promote this potential.

Presently, the installed electricity generation capacity in Pakistan was over 20,000MW. However, because of a variety of reasons actual generation frequently dipped by 25 to 30 per cent causing extensive power outages. In spite of this persistent problem, the demand for electricity was projected to continue rising in the foreseeable future by over 1,000MW every year.

The briefing learnt that already in 2008, Pakistan’s energy imports would touch at least $10 billion, double the amount of 2005. Pakistan’s natural gas reserves – a big share of 50 per cent in the country’s energy mix – would seriously diminish by 2012.

Much of the energy generated in the country came from thermal power stations mostly burning increasingly expensive imported furnace oil, and emitting huge quantities of poisonous gases and other harmful chemicals affecting human health, crop production, and over all productivity of the environment.

“We will see an explosion in the area of renewable energy to overcome economic difficulties today we find ourselves in,” Dr Michael Koch said.

Helping to redefine renewable energy and energy efficiency as a priority area of development cooperation, Dr Romeo Pacudan, an expert in the field said, “Renewable energy was the answer to energy crisis in Pakistan.”

The meeting learnt that if tapped efficiently, Pakistan had an estimated hydropower potential at 41, 722 MW, wind power potential at 345, 000 MW and the solar power potential even at 2.9 MW.