Pakistan is currently placed at the 6th-largest solar market globally, highlighting the country’s growing commitment to shifting towards renewable energy, especially solar power. This bold step toward sustainable energy has been emphasized in the latest report of the World Economic Forum, which identifies Pakistan as a promising contender in solar energy adoption as the world progressively shifts to clean and sustainable energy alternatives.
Its geographical location has brought forward immense potential benefits in expanding solar energy. A country like Pakistan gets sunlight 6 to 7 hours a day, with most regions getting approximately 9 hours of sun per day, especially in the Sindh and Baluchistan regions. According to the reports of the World Bank, if just 0.07 percent of Pakistan’s land area were allocated to solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, it could fulfill the electricity demand of the nation. This immense untapped potential for solar energy highlights the significant opportunities available for Pakistan to harness renewable energy.
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Even with the rapid growth of Pakistan’s solar market, renewable energy sources, for instance:
- Solar
- Wind
- Biomass
incessantly contributing to just 5.4 percent of Pakistan’s total energy mix. The most of electricity generation process is done by using raw materials like fossil fuels (63 percent utilization) and hydropower (25 percent utilization), according to the reports of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). This over-dependence on non-renewable sources highlights the dire need for further investment and development in solar energy infrastructure.
Pakistan’s growing solar market has been supported by favorable external conditions, especially the surplus production of solar panels in China. The overproduction of this sort triggered a massive decline in solar equipment costs, making solar power more affordable for Pakistan. Consequently, Pakistan has received the title of 3rd largest importer of Chinese solar products, playing a pivotal role in the all-inclusive development of its solar infrastructure.
The transition to solar energy has been highly intensified by the inefficiencies in Pakistan’s traditional energy sector. Power outages, unreliable Government-operated energy suppliers, and regulatory barriers have created a dire requirement for alternative energy solutions. Solar power has proven to be a practical, cost-effective alternative, with individuals, businesses, and policymakers highly adopting it to address the looming energy crisis in Pakistan.
As this rapid adoption takes place, Pakistan demonstrates its potential to lead the way in renewable energy, paving the path toward a more sustainable and energy-secure future.