**4. Energy status of Pakistan**

#### **4.1 Fossil fuel reserves**

In developing countries, an increase in energy consumption is directly linked with population growth and industrial development. In recent decades, energy demand has risen faster than energy supply or energy production in the country. In Pakistan, total energy consumption exceeded from 139.56 TWh in 1986 to 606.74 TWh in 2020 with a 4.4% annual compound growth rate, and this consumption is predicted to reach 1162.07 TWh by the end of 2030 [40]. The country is highly dependent on nonrenewable energy resources that primarily include fossil fuels e.g., coal, oil, natural gas, and peat for energy production. The rising energy demand and limited supply of energy due to the presence of fewer energy reserves have become a major challenge in Pakistan. On the other hand, being an oil importing country about 6.6 million tons of oil worth 3.4 billion dollars were imported in 2019 [41]. Another important aspect that impacts the economy of fuels and ultimately all sectors is the inflation rate. Energy generation and the agriculture sector are affected by the rise in fuel prices. In response to rising fuel prices and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, the world is turning to renewable energy sources like solar thermal, wind, and biomass/biogas [42, 43]. Unfortunately, Pakistan has not been successful in implementing modern technologies for the use of renewable energy sources particularly for agrarian tasks. However, some renewable energy projects like solar, wind, and biomass have been initiated recently in some areas of the country [44–46].
