Pakistan Breaks Records with 22 GW Solar Panel Imports in 2024

• Apr 24, 2025

In 2024, Pakistan imported 22 gigawatts of solar panels, marking one of the most significant shifts toward renewable energy in the country’s history. This amount of solar imports is greater than Canada’s entire installed solar capacity and even exceeds the United Kingdom’s total solar additions over the past five years, according to Clean Technica.

The majority of these solar installations took place in the private sector, particularly on commercial buildings, textile mills, and farms. This rapid uptake happened largely without direct state investment. However, the government did play a vital enabling role—removing import tariffs on solar equipment, approving net metering policies, and allowing market demand to shape the transition.

Pakistan’s improving internal security, better governance, and stronger institutions have helped the country stand out in a region long dominated by China and India in terms of renewable energy. As a result, Pakistan’s greenhouse gas emissions now sit at approximately 490 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent—similar to levels from the late 2010s—keeping the country outside the list of the world’s top ten emitters.

Per capita emissions are also low at around 2 tonnes, much less than the global average of 6 tonnes. However, the country still struggles with high emissions per unit of GDP, mostly due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels and ageing industrial infrastructure.

Pakistan’s national power grid remains a major weakness. It frequently suffers from blackouts and price instability, and relies heavily on imported fuel. These problems, combined with the falling global cost of solar panels and rising diesel prices, made solar an attractive solution for both households and businesses.

To support this solar boom, hybrid inverters and lithium-ion batteries are being widely used, especially in remote or heavily populated areas prone to blackouts. While solar dominates the headlines, wind and hydropower still play important roles. Wind projects are mainly focused in the Gharo-Jhimpir corridor, while biomass and hydropower also support the national energy mix.

Despite this progress, there are ongoing concerns about the future of the power grid. As more high-demand users generate their own electricity, utility companies are losing revenue, raising questions about long-term grid sustainability in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad.

In a bold move, Pakistan has also announced a 400-megawatt green hydrogen project powered by solar and wind. This project will support industrial needs, especially in fertilizer production. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle sector is growing, with investments from Chinese firms and local companies pushing the shift toward cleaner transport options.

Pakistan’s efforts reflect a larger trend across Asia, where developing nations are prioritizing infrastructure and sustainability. Despite the challenges, the scale and speed of Pakistan’s energy transition signal a major step forward in its commitment to clean energy.