ISLAMABAD: Pakistan imported approximately 15 GW of solar panels worth $2.1 billion from China last fiscal year, driven by surging electricity costs—up 155% in three years—according to a recent study, The Great Solar Rush in Pakistan. This shift has led to a 10.4% decrease in grid electricity demand, with further reductions projected, underscoring the need for grid modernization and revised demand forecasts.
Launched by Renewables First, the study highlights how high consumption households and industries are adopting solar solutions amid rising power tariffs and decreasing battery costs. Analysts at the study’s launch noted that Pakistan’s consumer-led approach, fueled by declining technology costs and robust imports, marks the nation as a unique and fast-growing player in the renewable energy landscape among developing countries.
Experts emphasized that the solar market’s rapid growth has positioned Pakistan as the 7th largest importer of Chinese solar panels, with imports reaching 17 GW in 2024 alone. Syed Faizan Ali, a member of the Prime Minister’s Solarisation Committee, stressed the importance of aligning policy to support infrastructure upgrades needed for decentralization and off-grid growth.
Story by Khalid Mustafa
