Unit # 8 Power Resources

Resources that are used to generate electricity are called Power Resources. They include both non-renewable
and renewable resources. Coal, Natural Gas, Petroleum and Nuclear Fuel (Uranium) are Non-renewable where as
Water, Wind, Sunlight and Tidal power are renewable resources.

Fossil Fuels

Fuels which are formed due to decomposition of marine life and vegetative matters are called fossil fuels. Coal,
Natural Gas and Mineral Oil (Petroleum) are examples of such fuels.

Nuclear Energy

It is the power that is released from Atoms. In Atomic fusion, energy is released when atoms are fused together.
This energy is used as fuel to generate electricity in power stations e.g. Karachi and Chashma (near Mianwali)
Nuclear Power plants.

Thermal Electricity

Electricity that is generated by using fossil fuel .Coal, natural gas and petroleum are used to produce thermal
power. Thermal power stations are working throughout Pakistan e.g. at Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta and
Faisalabad.

Hydro-electricity

Electricity produced by using force of water is called Hydro-electricity. Tarbela at river Indus, Mangla at river
Jhelum and Warsak at river Kabul are major HEP stations of Pakistan.

Solar Power

Power produced by using sunlight is called Solar Power. Solar panels collect heat from the Sun and use it to
heat water. The steam from water is used to turn a turbine to generate electricity.

Alternative Energy Resources

The term Alternate is used to contrast with fossil fuels. It means, energy coming from sources that do not
deplete natural resources or harm the environment. Solar, Wind and Tidal are examples of AER.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Developing AE Resources:

Adv: Renewable resources will never deplete. They are environment friendly. A country will can produce cheap
power and needs not to import fossil fuels.

Disadv: Solar Power stations, Wind Turbines and tidal Power stations are expensive to set up. Wind Turbines
can be developed only in coastal areas and mountainous regions. There is variation in production of electricity
on such power stations.

COAL

Coal Fields and Coal Mines of Pakistan

1. Salt Range Coal Field------------Dandot Pidh

2. Makerwal Coal Field-------------Dhalian
3. Lower Sind Coal Field-----------Thar, Lakhra, Jhimpir and Sonda
4. Quetta Coal Field --------------- Sor Range, Shahrig, Khost, Degari, Mach and Harnai.

Methods of Mining

Open-cast and Adit mining methods are mostly used to extract Coal in Pakistan.

Quality of Coal in Pakistan

In Pakistan, coal is not of good quality from Bituminous to lignite. Most of it has high moisture. It also has
high ash contents and low carbon contents. It burns quickly and does not give high temperature.

Uses of Coal

Coal is used in Thermal Power stations for heating boilers, in brick kilns for making bricks and in ceramic
industry. It is also used in restaurants for Bar-B-Que.
Natural Gas

Natural gas is an important fossil fuel found in Oil-bearing rocks above the Oil. It is made up of many gases
especially Methane and Ethane. It was first discovered in 1952 at Sui, Balochistan.

Natural Gas fields

1. Sui, Uch, Pirkoh and Zin in Balochistan.

2. Dhodak, Dhurnal and Meyal in Punjab.
3. Mari, Khairpur and Kandhkot in Sindh.

Extraction & Transportation of Natural Gas

It is extracted from gas fields through pipe lines. When it is cooled to a very low temperature it turns into a
liquid. This liquid is called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and be moved from place to place in special
Cylinders, Tankers and Bottles. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is another form of natural gas.

Uses of Natural gas

It is used in Thermal power stations to generate electricity, as a raw material in fertilizer industries, as a fuel for
cooking and heating at domestic and commercial level and for running vehicles and machines.

Petroleum/ Mineral Oil Fields

1. Dhurnal, Meyal, Adhi and Tut in Potwar Plateau Punjab.

2. Mazari, Laghari, Tando Adam, Khashkheli, Ghotana and Dhabi in Sindh.

Extraction of Petroleum/Mineral Oil

Oil is extracted by drilling method. Once the drilling site has been selected, a DERRICK is set up.

A derrick is a large steel structure that holds the drilling pipes and other equipments. The derrick is

dismantled after the oil has been found. Drilling rig is replaced by pipes and valves which control

the flow of the oil. Then it is transported through pipe lines to the refineries.

Oil Refinery

Oil Refinery is a technical set up near an oil field or a port to refine crude oil.

Oil Refineries of Pakistan

1. Pakistan Refinery, Karachi

2. National Refinery, Karachi
3. Attock Oil Refinery at Morga, Potwar Plateau, Punjab
4. Pak Arab Refinery Ltd. at Mehmood Kot near Muzafargarh (PARCO/Total)

Uses of Petroleum & Petroleum Products

Petroleum is used in Thermal Power stations to generate electricity, as a lubricant in machinery, as fuel in
vehicles and aeroplanes and for heating purpose.

Transportation of Petroleum

Both crude and refined oil is transported in special ships called ‘Oil Tankers’ from abroad.

It is transported by road and rail tankers from oil refineries with in the country.