Pakistan’s Energy Conundrum: Assessing Barriers to Sustainable Energy-Mix on the Road to Net-Zero

Abstract

The research delves into energy conundrum of Pakistan and examines the barriers in transition to its sustainable energy mix. Climate change has emerged as one of the biggest warnings to human existence in the 21st century, thereby, the global community urges for an inclusive and equitable approach to energy transition on the road to Net-zero under SDGs like ‘Affordable and Clean Energy’, and ‘Climate Action’. The nexus of energy security and environmental sustainability is a critical debate. The study, therefore, applies qualitative-cum-quantitative mixed method approach to access barriers to generation mix. The study finds and concludes that over-reliance on fossil fuels, lack of political will, fewer incentives for renewable energy, lack of decentralized energy and differentiated systems are the critical barriers on the road to a sustainable energy-mix. It recommends redefining contracts with IPPs, incentivizing solarization and green- metering, supporting micro-grid installation etc., to achieve energy optimization and de-carbonization.