Tapping solar power: high cost, higher rewards: Punjabs third-time Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is not known for mincing his words. His can-do approach and affinity for personally leading the charge in government initiatives is familiar to all; but then so is the fact that he often promises the moon in his enthusiasm. But in his inaugural speech for his latest tenure, the Super CM has promised the sun - that is the power of the sun. More accurately, CM Sharif that the Punjab government will install solar-powered tube wells in place of the existing ones that run either on electricity from the grid or diesel, both of which are subsidised through the national kitty. On the face of it, the idea is splendid. On one hand, the agriculture sector of the province most affected by the power crisis will be able to circumvent the perils of loadshedding and the national exchequer may also shake the repeated drag of footing the bill for subsidised power to tube wells. On the other hand, however, are hurdles to the implementation of this technology across farms in Punjab. Foremost is the issue of the cost of implementation. A report prepared by the Planning Commission of Pakistan had estimated the upfront cost of installing solar-powered tube wells at Rs3 million each. When this report was presented to the Standing Committee on Textile Industry back in July 2012, its estimate was criticised for being significantly over priced. However, a pilot project is currently being run by the Water Management Training Institute under the auspices of the Directorate General Agriculture Punjab. The relevant technology is being tested at nine government farms under this project, at a combined cost of Rs19.22 million. At that rate, each solar-powered tube well and its accompanying gadgetry is costing upwards of Rs2 million. Another pilot project in initial phases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has also ratcheted a cost of Rs2.1 million per unit. "A reasonable estimate for the cost of a solar-powered pump, panels, inverter, steel lining for the well and an accompanying water reservoir would be Rs2.5 to Rs3 million," Ali Kabeer told BR Research. Kabeer is General Manager at RENU Engineering Renewable Energy, a private firm specializing in the implementation of alternative energy solutions based in Karachi. "Besides the upfront cost, farmers would also require training regarding the maintenance of the new technology. To facilitate the adoption of this technology, the provincial government would have to develop trained technicians that can reach farmers on a timely manner and help fix any problems that may emerge, without wasting much time and money," Project Director at Directorate General Agriculture-Punjab told . The government would also have to combat social ills such as Kunda; illegally hooks or connections to electricity distribution lines. The practice of paying off Wapda officials to look the other way is rife. The policy to encourage farmers to adopt alternative energy must include tangible measures to discourage electricity theft. Finally, the provincial government must also be cognizant that its approach to improving agri-practices must address both demand and supply side issues. Land ploughing and levelling techniques must be improved and water application methods revamped to bring down wastages. According to an expert, "proper levelling can cut down water wastage by 35-40 percent on average." The introduction of solar-powered tube wells requires a holistic approach from the government, including the right incentives to promote adoption of the technology coupled with the introduction of efficient water management systems. The upfront costs may be high, but given that the countrys energy and water security is at stake, the rewards will outweigh the cost in the long-run.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:44:50 +0000
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