Biogas as a renewable energy solution in Pakistan: review of sources, technologies, and implementation barriers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54693/piche.05416Abstract
Energy is the main thread of any country’s sustainability and development, especially for developing countries. Renewable energy sources are explored and utilized in the modern era to replace fossil fuels. In several developed and underdeveloped countries, biogas, as a renewable energy source, has drawn significant attention. Pakistan is an agriculture-based economy, and a significant portion of the population lives in rural areas. Pakistan could mainly meet its energy demand in rural areas and, to some extent, in urban areas by utilizing biogas as a renewable energy source, with the additional benefits of mitigating Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper comprehensively reviews research achievements on biogas production, emphasizing the current status and economic potential of biogas in Pakistan. National assessments indicate a biogas potential of up to 226.8 million m³ per day from biomass waste. A comparative evaluation of digester technologies identifies fixed-dome digesters as the most cost-effective option for Pakistan's rural conditions. Furthermore, this review finds that financial and institutional barriers consistently outrank technical, environmental, and social barriers to biogas adoption in Pakistan, indicating that policy instruments such as feed-in tariffs and coordinated subsidy design should be prioritized.
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