Ali Hassan

The solar-powered desalination system is a huge opportunity for Pakistan to come to grips with the water shortage problem and improve farming, a senior official of Pakistan Council of Renewable Energy Technology told WealthPK. Pleading anonymity, the official said the solar desalination system is cost-effective and provides a sustainable way to meet the irrigation needs using different water sources and making Pakistan less dependent on others for energy. “Farming is vital for Pakistan's economy, but it requires a large amount of water to grow crops. The common sources of water, such as the rivers and wells, are at risk due to factors like population growth, rapid urbanization, and droughts caused by climate change. This shortage of water is a major problem because it limits the amount of food that can be grown and threatens our food supply,” he added.

“This system provides an opportunity to use the seawater and brackish water for farming when regular freshwater sources are limited. This reduces the strain on freshwater supplies and ensures enough water for homes and other essential purposes,” he said. According to a report by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Pakistan has one of the largest contiguous irrigation systems in the world where more than 93% water is used in agriculture. “By combining the solar power with the desalination processes, Pakistan can achieve energy independence. Blessed with plentiful sunlight, Pakistan can use solar energy to produce the electricity needed for desalination, reducing the need for expensive imported fossil fuels or relying on electricity from the grid,” he said.

According to a Finance Division report, oil import bill increased by 95.9 percent to $17.03 billion during the 10-month (July-April) period of the Fiscal Year 22 compared to $8.69 billion during the corresponding period of the last year (2021). “The solar-powered desalination systems have become cheaper because of better technology and more usage. The lower cost of solar panels and improved efficiency have made desalination affordable. This means even agricultural communities in remote areas can consider using these systems to get clean water,” he added. “Solar-powered desalination supports Pakistan's goal of protecting the environment. By reducing reliance on fossil fuels, these systems help minimize the emission of harmful gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide, which is good for the planet. They also contribute to Pakistan's efforts to fight climate change and its impact,” he explained.

Lahore has jumped more than 10 places to become a city with the worst air in the world in 2022, according to a report published by IQAir. During the year, Pakistan stood third among the countries with the most polluted air. The air quality levels in Lahore based on the concentration of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5 worsened to 97.4 micrograms of PM2.5 particles per cubic metre from 86.5 micrograms in 2021. The government can increase the use of solar-powered desalination systems by providing incentives, tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans so that foreign investors start investing in the solar industry to enhance economic growth and production and ensure a friendly environment.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk