Prioritization of various renewable energy resources for Pakistan using analytical hierarchy process

Pakistan has been struggling to overcome its energy deficiency issues for quite some time due to its extraordinary energy problems including heavy reliance on costly imported furnace oil, depleting natural gas reserves, severe power outages, high line-losses, etc. However, the efforts directed towards finding alternative, effective and lasting energy solutions are more intensive now than ever before. Renewable energy resources found in abundance in Pakistan, including solar, wind and biomass, have huge technical potential to meet the energy requirements. Present study is based on inputs from energy experts through a survey, prioritize various renewable energy resources taking into account factors including environmental impact, efficiency, cost, installed capacity, reliability, estimated potential and social acceptance. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed as decision making tool. The study ranked wind energy as the top priority among the three renewable alternates, followed by biomass and solar energy w.r.t. Pakistan to supplement future energy demands. (author)