An empirical analysis of the hydropower portfolio in Pakistan

Afreen Siddiqi, James L. Wescoat, Salal Humair and Khurram Afridi

Energy Policy, 2012, vol. 50, issue C, 228-241

Abstract: The Indus Basin of Pakistan with 800 hydropower project sites and a feasible hydropower potential of 60GW, 89% of which is undeveloped, is a complex system poised for large-scale changes in the future. Motivated by the need to understand future impacts of hydropower alternatives, this study conducted a multi-dimensional, empirical analysis of the full hydropower portfolio. The results show that the full portfolio spans multiple scales of capacity from mega (>1000MW) to micro (<0.1MW) projects with a skewed spatial distribution within the provinces, as well as among rivers and canals. Of the total feasible potential, 76% lies in two (out of six) administrative regions and 68% lies in two major rivers (out of more than 125 total channels). Once projects currently under implementation are commissioned, there would be a five-fold increase from a current installed capacity of 6720MW to 36759MW. It is recommended that the implementation and design decisions should carefully include spatial distribution and environmental considerations upfront. Furthermore, uncertainties in actual energy generation, and broader hydrological risks due to expected climate change effects should be included in the current planning of these systems that are to provide service over several decades into the future.

Keywords: Hydropower planning; Micro-hydro; Indus Basin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:50:y:2012:i:c:p:228-241

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.06.063

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