Pakistan is a developing country that is heavily reliant on coal for its energy needs. Coal is the second-largest energy source after oil, accounting for almost a quarter of the country’s energy mix. Coal is primarily used for power generation, but it is also consumed by various industries. In this article, we provide an overview of coal consumption by different industries in Pakistan.
The cement industry is one of the largest consumers of coal in Pakistan. The industry uses coal as a fuel for kilns to produce clinker, which is then ground to make cement. According to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), the cement industry consumed approximately 3.3 million tons of coal in 2020. This represents about 8% of the total coal consumption in the country. The cement industry is expected to continue to be a major consumer of coal in Pakistan, as the country’s construction sector grows.
The textile industry is another major consumer of coal in Pakistan. The industry uses coal as a fuel for boilers to generate steam for the textile manufacturing process. According to the Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), the textile industry consumed approximately 1.4 million tons of coal in 2020. This represents about 3% of the total coal consumption in the country. The textile industry is expected to continue to be a significant consumer of coal in Pakistan, as the country’s textile exports continue to grow.
The steel industry is also a significant consumer of coal in Pakistan. The industry uses coal as a fuel for blast furnaces to produce iron and steel. According to the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), the largest state-owned steel mill in Pakistan, the industry consumed approximately 1.6 million tons of coal in 2020. This represents about 4% of the total coal consumption in the country. The steel industry is expected to continue to be a major consumer of coal in Pakistan, as the country’s construction and infrastructure projects demand more steel.
The brick kiln industry is another significant consumer of coal in Pakistan. The industry uses coal as a fuel for traditional brick kilns to produce bricks for construction. According to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), there are approximately 17,000 brick kilns operating in Pakistan, and they consume approximately 12 million tons of coal annually. This represents about 30% of the total coal consumption in the country. The brick kiln industry is one of the largest sources of air pollution in Pakistan, and the government has initiated various policies to encourage the use of cleaner technologies.
The power generation sector is the largest consumer of coal in Pakistan. The sector uses coal to generate electricity, accounting for approximately 80% of the total coal consumption in the country. According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Pakistan generated approximately 39,215 GWh of electricity from coal in 2020. This represents about 19% of the total electricity generation in the country. The power generation sector is expected to continue to be the largest consumer of coal in Pakistan, as the country’s demand for electricity continues to grow.
In conclusion, coal consumption by different industries in Pakistan varies depending on their energy needs and production processes. The cement industry, textile industry, steel industry, brick kiln industry, and power generation sector are the major consumers of coal in the country. While coal is an important energy source for Pakistan, it also has significant environmental and health impacts. The government and industries must work together to develop and implement cleaner technologies and policies to reduce the country’s dependence on coal and mitigate its adverse effects on the environment and public health.