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Solar power in Pakistan became part of the energy mix in 2013, following government policies aimed at supporting renewable energy development. Benefiting from nine and a half hours of sunlight daily, the country now has seven solar projects that contribute 530 MW to the national grid. Rising electricity costs and grid reliability concerns have driven industries, businesses, and urban homeowners to increasingly turn to solar solutions, including rooftop photovoltaic installations.[1]
The country has solar plants in Pakistani Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. Initiatives are under development by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Chinese companies, and Pakistani private sector energy companies. The Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Park (QASP) was built in the Cholistan Desert, Punjab, in 2015 and has a 400 MW capacity.[2]
As electricity prices doubled from 2021 to 2024, Pakistanis have taken to installing solar panels around the country, importing $1.4 billion of panels from China in the first half of 2024.[3]
Solar resource
editSolar irradiance in Pakistan is 5.3 kWh/m2/day.[4]
Government policy
editRaja Pervaiz Ashraf, the Federal Minister of Water & Power of Pakistan, announced on 2 July 2009 that 7,000 villages would be electrified using solar energy by 2014. Senior adviser Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa stated that the Punjab government would begin new projects aimed at power production through coal, solar energy and wind power; this would generate additional resources.[5]
The Government of Pakistan allowed the provincial government of Sindh to conduct feasibility research. The government planned to install a desalination plant powered by solar energy.[6]
On 21 May 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the removal of 17 per cent general sales tax on solar panels.[7]
The World Bank reports that Pakistan possesses a solar power potential of 40 GW and has set a goal to achieve 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. To promote the use of solar energy, Pakistan has introduced incentives, including net metering and feed-in tariffs.[8] Net metering allows small systems to have a payback period of just 2-4 years.[9]
The Sindh and Punjab provincial governments announced policies in 2024 to provide free or subsidized solar panels to low income residents to reduce their electricity costs.[3]
Projects
edit- Beaconhouse installed the first high quality integrated solar energy system with a 10 kW power generation capacity capable of grid tie-in at Beaconhouse Canal Side Campus, Lahore. It was a pilot project for BSS designed by U.S. consultants, based upon feasibility by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).[10][11]
- 50 to 100 MW of photovoltaics is expected to be installed in 2013, and at least 300 MW in 2014.[12] In May 2015, 100 MW of a planned 1,000 MW were installed in the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park.[13]
- The progress of net metering in Pakistan up to 31 October 2021 is 268.69 MW commissioned systems.[14]
- Muzaffargarh solar power project
- The Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), funded by the World Bank with $100 million, aims to enhance solar power generation in Sindh Province.[15] It encompasses utility-scale solar development, distributed solar installations on public buildings, and the deployment of solar home systems in areas with limited grid access.[16]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Pakistan - Country Commercial Guide, Renewable Energy". International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. 12 January 2024.
- ^ Ebrahim, Zofeen T. (8 September 2015). "World's largest solar park to light up Pakistan's future". Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ a b Jilani, Humza. "Chinese solar panel boom threatens Pakistan's debt-ridden grid". www.ft.com. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Potentials of Solar Thermal for Electricity use in Pakistan" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
- ^ "Dead link". Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ "Dead link". Archived from the original on 15 May 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ Ayub, Imran (21 May 2022). "PM removes 17pc GST on solar panels". Dawn. Pakistan. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
- ^ "Can Pakistan capitalise on solar as it becomes popular". The Express Tribune. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "The future of net-metered solar power in Pakistan". ieefa.org. Retrieved 18 September 2024.
- ^ "Pakistan gets first on-grid solar power station". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
- ^ "The Beaconhouse Times Online - Solar Panels Installed at Canal Side Campus". Tbt.beaconhouse.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
- ^ "Punjab, German firm ink solar energy MoU". Archived from the original on 14 September 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ "Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park: Solar energy's 100MW to arrive in April". The Express Tribune. 27 March 2015. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ "Progress of Net Metering in Pakistan upto October 31, 2021". aedb.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ "Expanding Renewable Energy in Pakistan's Electricity Mix". World Bank. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
- ^ "Development Projects : Sindh Solar Energy Project - P159712". World Bank. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
