There are around one million agriculture tube-wells presently in operation and approximately 30% (3 lac) are electric-operated with the installed capacity of 2500 MW and consumes approximately 15-20% of the total energy delivered by the national grid. Government is heavily subsidizing electric tariff for agriculture tubewells in many areas putting additional burden on national exchequer on one hand and inducing inefficiencies in water and energy usage on the other. Agriculture sector having groundwater as the irrigation source is worst hit by present energy crises as the availability of grid electricity in remote areas is around six hours per day on an average. Therefore, a reliable, efficient, sustainable and cost effective energy option for agriculture sector in Pakistan is direly needed.

The operation of community water supply schemes has been taken over by the governments because most of them were rendered non-operational as the population is poor and cannot afford the cost of energy services. The deficit operation of these schemes has put additional burden on already dejected national budget.

Fish farming is a lucrative business and is practiced in most parts of the country especially in central and lower Punjab, Sindh and Western Balochistan where climate is conducive for such activity. Continuous flow of clean water in the fish ponds is essential for which a reliable source is required. As the rural areas are getting electricity for a meager time, this industry is being badly affected in the present energy crises.

Replacing/supplementing existing source of power (grid electricity) for driving tubewells with renewable energy resources (solar and wind) can be a viable option. Sun is available for 300 days a year with 6-8 hours effective time in most parts of Pakistan. Similarly considerable potential of wind energy is also identified in isolated corridors. Both Solar Photo-Voltaic and Wind technologies can be used for this application.

The solar pumps can meet with the daily water requirements of small to medium size communities and fish farms. For agriculture tubewells, the power requirement to pump groundwater from continuously depleting water table is ever increasing affecting the financial viability and technical capability of renewable energy options. However, it is possible to decrease the energy requirements by optimizing irrigation and pumping system designs for maximum possible efficiency to make it competitive.

It is pertinent to consider the option of replacing/supplementing existing source of power (grid electricity) for driving tubewells with renewable energy resources (solar and wind) to relieve the grid from load stress. AEDB has initiated a study to validate the technical, economic and social viability of the intervention leading to a national rollout programme.

The study includes:

• An academic activity to design pilot project
• Implementation of the pilot project
• Evaluation of the pilot project
• Design of the rollout programme