A study to incorporate renewable energy technologies into the power portfolio of Karachi, Pakistan

Karachi is facing severe power outage problems, with 3 to 8 hours of power outages every day, accounting for large economic losses. The city has a total electricity generation capacity of 2848 MW and a peak load of 2500 MW. This study estimates the potential of Solar, Wind and Biomass renewable energy options to meet part of the electrical demand in Karachi, Pakistan and further discusses the feasibility of the proposed projects. The objective is to define and evaluate a mix of these renewable energies that offsets 10% of the peak load (250 MW) of Karachi. The approach is based on the sustainability principle that a city should first attempt to meet its electrical demand using its own resources in order to increase its energy security, support the local economy, and minimize the costs and losses associated with transportation of fuel, and transmission and distribution of electricity. For the proposed mix, 2.9% and 4.4% of the peak load demand is met using Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and Parabolic Trough Collectors (PTC) respectively, 2% from wind and 0.7% from biomass. Also, the proposed mix is found feasible with PV to recover its investment costs in 5 years followed by biomass and wind in 6 years and finally PTC in 17 years. The outcomes of this analysis are significant for the concerned authorities of Pakistan responsible for installing renewable energy utilization projects within its regions.