Experts believe that Pakistan has a huge potential of producing 1100 MMCFD of Biogas with 21 million tons (MT) of bio fertilizer every year. This Biogas production potential can uplift the economy and help overcome poverty.
As per the recent livestock census, there are 51 million animals (Buffaloes, Cows, Bullocks) in Pakistan. Thus, 19.125 Million M3 biogas can be produced daily by anaerobic fermentation of dung through the installation of about 3.825 million family-size biogas plants, which could meet the cooking needs of about 50 million people.
According to the Pakistan Council of Renew Energy Technologies (PCRET), the total population of Pakistan is about 170 million, out of which 68% reside in the rural areas, which comes to 98 million.
Therefore, the cooking/heating requirements of 44% of rural masses from this single source of energy (biogas) besides, producing 57.4 million Kg of nitrogen-enriched bio-fertilizer per day or 21.00 million tons of bio-fertilizer per year can be fulfilled, which is an essential requirement for sustaining the fertility of agricultural lands.
A small plant of Biogas can save 5407 PKR per household every month. A biogas plant is an ideal opportunity in Pakistan because of the high temperatures.
Biogas is a solution for rural areas with no gas pipeline. India has installed 4 million home biogas units while China has 6 million units installed. On the other hand, Pakistan has only a few thousand.
Given the prevailing situation, experts believe that the promotion of biogas technology seems to be one of the best options which could, not only partially offset the fossil fuel and fuelwood consumption but also could facilitate the recycling of agro-animal residues as a bio-fertilizer.
Moreover, being clean and renewable would also contribute towards environmental protection, sustenance of ecosystem, and conservation of biodiversity.
There is, however, a tremendous need to promote public awareness, in particular, among youth and women, on the use of bio-energy (biogas) and bio-fertilizer and also to create awareness and know-how about eco-system management, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable use of natural resources.
Due to mass social acceptance, the Government of Pakistan has asked PCRET to launch a mega project on biogas technology by installing 25,000 biogas units all over the country to not only cater to the needs of cooking but also for agriculture and commercial purpose to make up for the shortage of gas and electricity in the country.
It is hoped that after approval from concerned quarters, the project will pave the way for mass-scale dissemination of an environment–friendly technology, which apart from being green has enormous benefits to the public in the country.
Moreover, there are ample opportunities to harness bio digester technologies in Pakistan because of the space available for installing 5 million bio digesters in different farming areas.
Considering the huge potential of bio digester technology, the country has a high need for the development and implementation of national programs focusing on disseminating domestic bio digesters in Pakistan.
Recently, Federal Minister of Energy Hammad Azhar highlighted the importance of biogas production and said that for a long time, the country has been ignoring its “huge potential.”
Taking to Twitter, the energy minister said that considering the importance of biogas, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has now invited the expression of interest for producing biogas in its franchise area.
“SSGC is expecting to produce 4-5 MMCFD through this endeavor as a pilot project,” the minister said.
