Shorter Weddings Won’t Save Pakistan From Energy Crisis

Posted on 28. Apr, 2010 by Ross in Asia, Energy Shortages

After years of neglected energy infrastructure, shortages and blackouts, Pakistan is desperately clutching at straws in an effort to save energy and face in the wake of growing national protests.

Pakistan’s continuing energy crisis, which has already seen the collapse of the nation’s once-booming textile industry, is caused by a generating shortfall of around 5,000MW: approximately a third of total energy demand.

In the face of such a shortfall, the Pakistan government has now increased the official weekend from one day to two, seeing the closure of government departments and the state bank on Saturdays as well as Sundays. Other measures being taken include turning half the lights off in government buildings and restrictions on the use of air conditioning.

The most eye-catching restriction, however, is a clamp-down on wedding celebrations. Under new plans, Pakistani wedding parties must now be no longer than three hours. Just the kind of good news that a restless population wants to hear!

The government is aiming to cut the incidences of blackouts by a third through these new measures, but is hoping that the private sector can reduce energy demand. However, given the huge impact that energy shortages have had on the economy, with businesses losing large export orders to international competitors due to not completing shipments in time, there are no more savings to be made without being able to invest in energy efficient technology. The energy crisis is the primary burden on the economy, stopping Pakistan from emerging from the global economic slump, and until the Pakistani government invests in new power supplies and stamps out energy corruption then the country will remain caught in an energy gridlock.

Image by Umair Mohsin @ Flickr