Renewable Energy in Pakistan: Assessment of Hydropower Potential of Pakistan's Irrigation Infrastructure for Renewable Energy Generation: A Case Study of the BRBD Canal

This research investigates the hydropower capacity of the BRBD Canal, specifically focusing on four divisions within the Lahore zone of the Punjab Irrigation Department: Lahore, Kasur, Shahdara, and Pandoki. There is very large contiguous irrigation system exists in Pakistan having so many canal falls, head regulators and outlets which can be used as off grid / on grid hydropower sites. The study involved comprehensive data collection, pertaining to the entire BRBD Canal. The analysis primarily concentrated on Head Regulators, Canal Falls, and Outlets, extracting vital information related to available head, discharge, and the estimation of potential of power and energy generation. The aim of this study was to assess the hydropower potential at the head regulators, canal falls, and outlets along the BRBD Canal for renewable energy generation. The outcomes of the study aim to contribute to the development of sustainable renewable energy generation strategies by utilizing the available hydropower resources within the canal. The results obtained from this investigation can provide valuable insights for policymakers, engineers, and energy planners to assess the feasibility and economic viability of utilizing this untapped energy source of the BRBD Canal for renewable energy generation to significantly meet the region's growing energy demands.