Assessment of Renewable Energy for Electricity Generation: Using Pakistan TIMES Energy Model

Abstract

This paper analyses the feasibility of renewable energy resources in the fuel mix for electricity generation in Pakistan to achieve sustainable economic growth, energy security by minimizing environmental emissions as well as considering external costs. TIMES energy modelling framework have been used to develop three supply side scenarios viz BASE, REN50 and REN60. The study incorporated the environmental externalities of power generation to neutralize the edge to fossil fuel and nuclear fuel based power plants. Model results of BASE scenario were compared with two alternative scenarios of gradually increased sharing of renewable energy in total power generation by 50%in REN50 and 60% in REN60 for modelling period (2033). The simulation results suggest that when considering environmental emission and external costs in particular, both the REN50 and REN60 scenarios are more feasible and sustainable electricity generation scenario providing policy makers an insight to consider more renewable energy sources in long term electricity generation planning.