MANY writers and speakers at different forums have pointed out the importance of efficient use of energy and yet the ground realities are so very disappointing. We find ourselves in a very difficult set of circumstances in which both the direct cost of energy and indirect cost of pollution hazard are totally out of control.

However, if we do not conserve this resource even now, we are really doomed as no equivalent energy source is at present available to sustain us for the next four to five years when, hopefully, coal gas from Thar fields would become a major energy source.

What is happening now defies basic logic and needs urgent corrective action. Inefficient utilisation of this gift from God is continuing in spite of major 'red' alerts due to 'gas-shedding' and loss of gas supply pressure throughout the country.

We continue to find many industries wasting enormous gas in inefficient processes, mostly by producing steam and hot water in conventional boilers instead of meeting this requirement through cogeneration in which considerable 'free' electric power would be available together with required steam/hot water with the same quantity of natural gas being consumed at present.

Can you imagine the effect of just this change in thousands of industries? Low cost of thousands of megawatts of power could change our energy scenario completely. Commercial building complexes are no exception when it comes to lack of concern for energy efficiency and, again, we are wasting our precious gas in inefficient processes for airconditioning and steam/hot water services.

How is it possible that gas companies are not ensuring efficient cogeneration even now when basic directives from highest authorities have been confirmed at least since 2005?

Also, environmental protection agencies are not concerned with the high level of pollution (much above NEQS levels) since all these inefficient processes and systems invariably create serious pollution hazards.

For example, the latest EIA report for a large building complex in Karachi was not challenged by EPA, Sindh. This huge complex is reported to have 20 MW gas-based power generation which will produce NOX and unburnt oil levels much higher than allowed.

This building complex is coming up in a heavily populated area and besides creating serious problems of traffic and sewage disposal, the air pollution would be a continuing hazard for communities around this area.

Even central airconditioning for this complex will create very high NOX levels as this system is based on supplementary firing of gas in so-called waste heat absorption chillers (how can this be allowed by the SSGC as they are only supposed to supply gas for cogeneration?).

This additional gas-firing will further damage the environment as more and more NOX would be produced, in addition to wastage of our precious gas since this is a very inefficient way of producing chilled water for central airconditioning!

We need to achieve high-energy efficiency in every process and most urgently, especially when our natural gas is being used. The policy which had initiated cogeneration as the preferred technology needs to be followed diligently. Are we ready to enforce the essential requirements of high efficiency when allowing any facility to use our Sui gas? The bonus would be a considerable reduction in pollution levels.

AAZA Karachi