National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) in Pakistan has released a comprehensive pre-feasibility study on green hydrogen energy.
This groundbreaking study, conducted in collaboration with international experts, aims to harness the immense potential of green hydrogen and chart a course towards a more eco-friendly and reliable energy landscape.
Pakistan faces significant challenges in its energy sector, heavily relying on imported fossil fuels for power generation. With 64 percent of its energy sourced from thermal means, the nation grapples with soaring global energy prices and environmental concerns. The pre-feasibility study sets out to explore green hydrogen as a transformative energy vector, offering high energy content, environmental compatibility, and solutions to intermittency issues in renewable energy (RE) sources.
Dr. Sardar Mohazzam, Managing Director of NEECA, shared the motivation behind this pioneering study. Collaborating with international experts, including Stephen B. Harrison and Dr. Nadeem Javed, the study delves into 13 value chain cases, meticulously analyzing their economic viability across current and potential future scenarios. The research aims to advance sustainable energy solutions and has identified three promising green hydrogen value chains.
- Hydrogen Electrolysis from Ghazi-Barotha Dam: Proposes harnessing hydrogen through electrolysis from hydroelectricity at the existing Ghazi-Barotha dam. The innovative approach involves integrating hydrogen into the local natural gas grid.
- Solar-Powered Hydrogen Production at Quaid e Azam Solar Park: Envisions producing hydrogen using solar power from the Quaid e Azam solar park. The sustainable energy generated would be admixed into the local natural gas grid, aiming to decarbonize the gas pipeline network.
- Run-of-the-River Hydropower Micro-Grid: Proposes a One MW Run-of-the-river hydropower remote micro-grid, allocating power for hydrogen production during hydropower generation. The stored hydrogen would be released to a fuel cell during winterization, mitigating the risk of ice damage.
Despite current hurdles, green hydrogen is positioned as the linchpin for clean and low-carbon development in Pakistan. Anticipating a gradual decrease in capex costs, the study emphasizes proactive measures, urging the nation to prepare for the upcoming opportunity to shift towards green hydrogen. International financing support is seen as a catalyst, aligning with government efforts to combat climate change and foster sustainable development.
