Syed Akhtar Ali

Pakistan's Energy Issues Syed Akhtar Ali

The author presents a thorough analysis of Pakistan's energy sector. Being an insider, he has had enough exposure to be able to point out issues and problems and has been able to develop a package of thorough recommendations. He has argued for better negotiations of CPEC energy sector's terms and has advised NEPRA to take steps to bring down tariff to a fair and affordable level but argues that Petroleum prices in Pakistan are fair and lowest in the region. The author is of the view that energy imports should be discouraged and argues in favour of local resource development and indigenization. In the back drop of remarkable recent reduction in Solar PV prices, he argues for a significant reappraisal of existing plans leading to a major initiative for inducting solar electricity in a distributed mode at about 50 locations. He has proposed alternatives and cheaper approaches with respect to Smart Meters, LPG distribution projects and RLNG terminals etc. Supporting coal, he has criticized avoidance of the required environmental controls and has demanded corrective steps in this respect. Overall, he presents an optimistic picture with critical evaluation of issues and problems. Laden with a lot of data and tables, the book should be a must reading for policy makers, stakeholders, academia and all those who have more than a passing interest in the subject.