Russia has assured Pakistan to virtually cooperate with its energy producing sector. It has shown its prompt intentions to enhance Pakistan’s hydropower potential by playing a role in its mega hydro-power projects. Pakistan is committed to enhancing the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Being a growing economy, Pakistan has an increasing electricity demand, which cannot be fulfilled from its current power producing capacity. In this situation, Russia’s cooperation would be of a great benefit to Pakistan.
Hydropower is a cheap, clean and renewable source of electricity. It can be harnessed both on a large and small scale for power generation purposes. Therefore, hydropower is the most significant RER in the world. Needless to say, Pakistan is facing an energy crisis mainly due to insufficient addition of electricity in the power system.
Moreover, peaceful use of nuclear energy remains the core objective of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. That is why, Pakistan is also encouraged to grow the capacity of Pakistan’s hydropower.
Reportedly, Pakistan has also shared the most recent information and plans for the modernization and construction of local and Thar coal-based new units at Jamshoro and Lakhra with Russia. Russia has also informed Pakistan of LLC’s interest in constructing facilities for a gas transmission network and distributed power generation, rebuilding obsolete power-generating equipment with the supply of units based on gas turbine drives manufactured by LLC enterprises, and supporting its performance throughout its life cycle. Nevertheless, hydropower is poised for a resurgence and will play a significant role in addressing this power deficit in Pakistan.
Additionally, numerous projects are currently under planning and construction in the private sector, overseen by the Private Power & Infrastructure Board. These projects are part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – a collection of infrastructure projects supported by the Chinese Government to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and enhance the economic connectivity between both countries.In response to Russia’s growing interest towards assistance in the construction of the projects, Pakistan is positively hopeful that the stage II of the Dasu project will begin no earlier than 2026.
Moreover, during the recently-held Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) meetings, both Russia and Pakistan expressed interest in maintaining contact to explore opportunities and prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation in the oil and gas sectors of Pakistan.
Fossil fuel-based resources, including oil and natural gas, dominate the power sector of Pakistan, but the country possesses minimal indigenous fossil fuel reserves. This is what forms the basis of Russia-Pakistan energy cooperation, which may be an energy milestone in tandem with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
