Abstract:
In the current study, Pakistan’s natural gas energy consumption, cost and
emission were foreseen for the next thirty years. Study used 2012 as base year while 2042
as the end year. Prime objective of this study was to develop a fully incorporated
modeling scheme and to find out ways to minimize negative environmental impacts
governed by poor energy utilization practices. Another important objective was to
promote indigenous energy sources in order to reduce growing natural gas import loads.
It was carried out in assistance of Long Range Energy Alternative Planning System or
LEAP. LEAP forecasted Pakistan’s natural gas consumption, cost and related six major
emissions to the environment. Secondary data was collected and interpreted to the LEAP.
Model depicted results in the form of different scenarios. Such scenarios were actually
self-consistent story-lines to estimate future natural gas energy evolution over time. At
first, a scenario called Business-as-Usual (BAU) or base scenario was constructed by
using base year i.e. 2012. It was based on likely plans and policies revealing future
energy situation carried on the same existing energy track. Later, alternative scenarios i.e.
biofuel scenario (BIO), nuclear energy scenario (NUC) and renewable energy scenario
(REN) were framed. Among these, REN scenario particularly encouraged formulation of
new energy policy and enforcement to reduce natural gas energy consumption and
environmental emissions such as CO2 (non-biogenic, CO, CH4, NOx, N2O and VOCs
while BIO and REN both were found to be natural gas energy cost efficient. Finally,
recommendations were considered for governmental, non-governmental and policy
makers to make planned, wise and efficient use of natural gas energy to control
environmental emissions by developing a pollution reduction framework.
