ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has imported more solar panels from China in the past five years than many G20 countries, with over 16 gigawatts (GW) shipped in 2024 alone, according to a new report by think tank Renewables First. Titled “Leader of One or Leader of None – China’s Choice for Clean over Coal in Pakistan”, the report reveals that more than 39GW of solar panels—almost entirely from China—have entered Pakistan since 2019. That volume surpasses three-quarters of Pakistan’s current installed generation capacity, signifying a dramatic shift in the country’s energy landscape.…
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Energy Minister Calls for Dialogue as Net Metering Surges to 2,500MW
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has called for broader consultation on net metering, which has now reached 2,500MW and is exerting a significant impact on the national grid. Speaking at a high-level consultative meeting held at the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), attended by solar industry experts, provincial representatives, and relevant government officials, the Minister clarified that while net metering is not being scrapped, the government is considering transitioning to a more transparent, effective, and sustainable net billing model. Leghari, who was instrumental in…
Read MoreNEPRA Raises Alarm Over 1,700MW Power Outage, Warns of Rising Consumer Burden
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has voiced serious concerns over the continued outage of over 1,700MW of low-cost electricity from two major government-owned power plants — Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHPP) and Guddu 747. The prolonged shutdowns are significantly increasing the financial burden on electricity consumers. In an official communication, NEPRA Chairman Waseem Mukhtar highlighted that the NJHPP, once expected to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, has faced two major shutdowns — from July 2022 to August 2023 and again since May 1, 2024. The latest closure…
Read MorePunjab to Slash Power Tariffs Using Profits from State-Owned Power Plants
LAHORE: In a major relief move, the Punjab government announced that it will finance a significant power tariff reduction by utilizing billions in profits and savings from two of its state-owned power companies — Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Pvt Ltd and Punjab Thermal Power Pvt Ltd. The provincial cabinet approved a 30-40% tariff cut for electricity generated by these plants, aligning with the federal government’s earlier initiative of renegotiating contracts with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to lower costs. According to officials, both thermal power companies will forgo annual profits of Rs12-13…
Read MoreChashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant to Add 1,200 MW Clean Energy to National Grid
The under-construction Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant is poised to inject 1,200 megawatts (MW) of clean, safe, and low-cost electricity into Pakistan’s national grid, further strengthening the country’s energy mix. During a recent media briefing at the Chashma Nuclear Complex, General Manager Engineer Habibur Rehman shared updates on the project, underscoring Pakistan’s ambition to raise its nuclear power capacity to 8,000 MW. He emphasized the role of nuclear energy in ensuring a sustainable and affordable power supply. The Chashma-5 plant, based on the state-of-the-art Hualong One (HPR1000) reactor design, is a…
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