Energy - IUCN

that each household in the high altitude valleys of Ghanche, Ghizar, Ghanche and
Baltistan Districts uses 28 kilograms of dung cake per year.
Scarcity of natural forests in the higher altitude valleys of Gilgit, Ghizar, Skardu and
Ghanche district, especially in the alpine pastures, has led to adopt dung cake as
source of energy for heating and cooking. It is estimated that 28 Kg per house hold
per Kg is used for cooking and heating.
2.2.8. Electricity
The Northern Areas are currently served by 81 hydroelectric power stations and 15
thermal stations, with a total generation capacity of 50.74 MW. This is significantly
less than the NA's requirements, of 83 MW and the shortfall in power is met
through the use of alternative fuels (primarily wood and kerosene) and the use of
diesel generators.
Electrical appliances such as irons, heaters, radios, tape recorders, televisions and
refrigerators are commonly used in Gilgit and other towns; the radio stations and
television boosters located in Gilgit and Skardu also have significant power
demands. In the NA's rural areas, there are fewer electrical appliances and
electricity is used primarily for lighting and for fans.
Both the demand for electricity and its supply are affected by the seasons. During
the winter, the supply of electricity is reduced because of the low volume of water
in the rivers; demand, however, is high, because of the need for heating. Summers
in the low-lying valleys of the Northern Areas are hot, and the use of air
conditioners increases the demand for energy.
Seasonal population movements also affect the overall demand for energ y.
During the winter, there is a movement of people from the high altitude areas to
the lower valleys. During the summer, there is a significant influx of tourists to
the re g i o n .
14
2.2.9. Other Sources of Energy
Small amounts of low-quality coal are used in some parts of the Northern Areas,
particularly Ghizar. The coal is imported from China, and has a very high sulphur
content.
Isolated attempts to harness solar energy have been made. For example, two solar
energy stations were established in 1984 at Hindi (Hunza) and Sandus (Skardu).
However, both stations were abandoned after several months, because of the lack
of essential spare parts.
The use of wind energy is believed to be unfeasible in the Northern Areas, because
there are no readily accessible locations with sufficiently strong and uniform
breezes.
The monthly energy consumption of pattern of energy sources of diff e re n t
consumer types is indicated in tables 14 to 16.