Solar power in Pakistan explained

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 country aims to build the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Park (QASP) in the Cholistan Desert, Punjab, by 2017 with a 1 GW capacity. A plant of this size would be enough to power around 320,000 homes.^[2]

Solar resource

Solar irradiance in Pakistan is 5.3 kWh/m²/day.^[3]

Government policy

Raja 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

On 21 May 2022, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the removal of 17 per cent general sales tax on solar panels.^[6]

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.^[7]

Projects

• 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).^{[8] [9]}
• 50 to 100 MW of photovoltaics is expected to be installed in 2013, and at least 300 MW in 2014.^[10] In May 2015, 100 MW of a planned 1,000 MW were installed in the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park.^[11]
• The progress of net metering in Pakistan up to 31 October 2021 is 268.69 MW commissioned systems.^[12]
• 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.^[13] 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.^[14]

See also

• Renewable energy in developing countries
• Renewable energy in Pakistan
• Wind power in Pakistan
• International Solar Alliance

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2024-01-12 . Pakistan - Country Commercial Guide, Renewable Energy . International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
2. Web site: World's largest solar park to light up Pakistan's future. Ebrahim. Zofeen T.. 8 September 2015. 4 August 2016. 8 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201208052928/https://www.dawn.com/news/1205484. live.
3. Web site: Potentials of Solar Thermal for Electricity use in Pakistan . 29 May 2012 . 14 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190214205253/http://www.powerasia.com.pk/icaep2008/presentation/SIII_Azzam.pdf . live .
4. Web site: Dead link . 14 November 2009 . 15 May 2016 . http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160515201148/http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=88856 . live .
5. Web site: Dead link . 14 November 2009 . 15 May 2016 . http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160515201159/http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=141165 . live .
6. Web site: Ayub . Imran . 21 May 2022 . PM removes 17pc GST on solar panels . 21 May 2022 . Dawn . Pakistan . en . 21 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220521053043/https://www.dawn.com/news/1690683 . live .
7. Web site: 2023-06-05 . Can Pakistan capitalise on solar as it becomes popular . 2024-02-13 . The Express Tribune . en.
8. Web site: Pakistan gets first on-grid solar power station . 27 June 2012 . 5 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160605082717/http://www.jica.go.jp/pakistan/english/office/topics/press120529.html . live .
9. Web site: The Beaconhouse Times Online - Solar Panels Installed at Canal Side Campus . Tbt.beaconhouse.net . 13 June 2014 . 3 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234712/http://tbt.beaconhouse.net/index.php?page_id=11&content_id=6 . live .
10. Web site: Punjab, German firm ink solar energy MoU . 13 January 2013 . 14 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130914110406/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/business/31-Oct-2012/punjab-german-firm-ink-solar-energy-mou . live .
11. Web site: Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park: Solar energy's 100MW to arrive in April. 27 March 2015. The Express Tribune. 17 May 2015. 18 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201218045521/https://tribune.com.pk/story/859627/quaid-e-azam-solar-park-solar-energys-100mw-to-arrive-in-april. live.
12. Web site: Progress of Net Metering in Pakistan upto October 31, 2021. 14 May 2021. aedb.org. 14 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210514144924/http://www.aedb.org/articles-list/344-net-metering-progress-in-pakistan. live.
13. Web site: Expanding Renewable Energy in Pakistan’s Electricity Mix . 2024-02-13 . World Bank . en.
14. Web site: Development Projects : Sindh Solar Energy Project - P159712 . 2024-02-13 . World Bank . en.