Biogas Energy Resources in Pakistan Status, Potential, and Barriers

Energy can be linked to substantial economic growth, industrialization, and social development. Pakistan is a developing country and is currently experiencing an energy deficit of 6000 MW, causing the nation to spend more than US$7 billion annually on importing oil and natural gas. Although the country depends on imports, it also has a substitute energy resource in bioenergy. Among renewable energy sources, biomass is considered the most durable and efficient source of electricity, heat, cooling, and solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. This article provides an overview of the biogas industry in Pakistan, exploring the current scenario, potential, advantages, barriers, and future projections, as well as making recommendations. Pakistan has considerable biomass energy potential, with more than 840 million tons of animal manure, 108 million tons of crop residues, and 44 million tons of municipal solid waste produced yearly. These potential sources could be tapped to generate around 28 million m³ of biogas daily, which could fulfill more than 50% of the nation's power requirement. This study could provide a solution for policymakers, strategic planners, and power generators to sustainably alleviate the country's energy crisis without any environmental impact.