Islamabad: Despite economic challenges and social instability, Pakistan made remarkable progress in the renewable energy sector in 2024, positioning itself as one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally.
The Global Electricity Review 2025, released by UK-based energy think tank Ember, highlights Pakistan’s impressive performance in the solar space.
The report states that Pakistan imported a staggering 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar panels in 2024 — more than double the volume from 2023 — putting it alongside major solar adopters such as China, India, Brazil, and the European Union.
“Solar has become so affordable that entire markets can emerge almost overnight — as we saw in Pakistan in 2024,” the report noted.
High electricity tariffs, largely due to long-term contracts with privately operated thermal plants, have driven a dramatic rise in rooftop solar installations across homes and businesses in Pakistan.
The shift to solar has been widely embraced as a way to cut energy costs and reduce reliance on the expensive national grid.
Globally, solar power accounted for nearly one-third of new electricity generation last year.
The technology’s rapid expansion, supported by declining costs and improved battery storage options, has made solar increasingly viable across both established and emerging markets.
Global Solar Regime
In Pakistan, solar energy has become a particularly attractive option for households and commercial entities.
The 17 GW of solar panels imported in 2024 represents an unprecedented boom in solar demand, indicating how quickly the country has scaled up its adoption of clean energy.
These figures contrast sharply with earlier estimates by Pakistan’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), which had noted that installed solar capacity rose from 321 megawatts in 2021 to 4,124 megawatts by the end of 2024.
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The difference reflects the surge in private installations that may not yet be fully accounted for in official tallies.
The shift toward solar energy is also reshaping Pakistan’s broader energy landscape.
While total electricity demand has remained relatively flat, the adoption of off-grid and rooftop solar systems has accelerated, forcing policymakers to rethink traditional energy planning and grid management.
A number of solar projects are underway, and many companies are now offering installation services to meet rising demand for more affordable and sustainable energy solutions.
Ember emphasized that Pakistan’s example demonstrates how solar’s low cost and rapid deployment potential can reshape national power systems in a very short span.
Still, the think tank warned that infrastructure and regulatory systems need to keep pace. Without updated planning and oversight, the rapid expansion of solar could pose challenges for grid stability and long-term sustainability.
Also Read: Pakistan Leads Global Solar Panel Imports, April Rates
As Pakistan’s green energy journey gains momentum, the focus must now shift toward integrating renewables into the national energy strategy in a way that ensures affordability, reliability, and equitable access across the country.
