Pakistan's escalating reliance on imported fossil fuels presents a palpable vulnerability to volatile global commodity markets, making the pursuit of robust national energy security imperative. Shifting towards renewable sources like solar and wind power offers a compelling pathway to mitigate this geopolitical risk by harnessing indigenous resources that are inherently stable. However, this transition is not without significant infrastructural hurdles; namely, the intermittency challenge posed by weather-dependent generation necessitates massive investments in advanced battery storage and grid modernization. Therefore, while renewables offer the ultimate strategic shield against external energy shocks, achieving true security requires a dual-pronged approach: aggressive renewable capacity addition coupled with smart, resilient grid management systems to ensure consistent power supply.

According to the passage, what is the central argument regarding Pakistan's path to national energy security?

Question

Pakistan's escalating reliance on imported fossil fuels presents a palpable vulnerability to volatile global commodity markets, making the pursuit of robust national energy security imperative. Shifting towards renewable sources like solar and wind power offers a compelling pathway to mitigate this geopolitical risk by harnessing indigenous resources that are inherently stable. However, this transition is not without significant infrastructural hurdles; namely, the intermittency challenge posed by weather-dependent generation necessitates massive investments in advanced battery storage and grid modernization. Therefore, while renewables offer the ultimate strategic shield against external energy shocks, achieving true security requires a dual-pronged approach: aggressive renewable capacity addition coupled with smart, resilient grid management systems to ensure consistent power supply.

According to the passage, what is the central argument regarding Pakistan's path to national energy security?

Accepted Answer

True energy security demands integrating renewable capacity expansion with sophisticated grid management to overcome intermittency issues.. A is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that renewables alone are insufficient due to infrastructural hurdles. B is incorrect because the passage frames battery storage as only one part of a necessary, dual-pronged approach. C is correct because the conclusion synthesizes the necessity of both renewable addition and grid management for true security. D is incorrect because this option contradicts the passage's central theme of actively moving away from reliance on volatile imports.