Solar rush to deliver substantial benefits

KARACHI:

Pakistan's citizen-led solar revolution is set to deliver substantial socio-economic benefits, says a study titled "The Many Dividends of Solar Rush in Pakistan," and highlights that the mass-scale adoption of solar PV is not only reducing fossil dependence and easing grid strain but also mobilising private capital, creating jobs and cutting emissions at scale.

As Pakistan grapples with mounting climate risks, including the devastating monsoon floods, distributed solar continues to deliver one of the country's strongest mitigation outcomes. In FY25, solar PV avoided an estimated 35 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, pushing cumulative avoided emissions since FY17 to over 83 million metric tons, said the study launched by Renewables First on Friday.

At the current trajectory, Pakistan could avoid 50 million metric tons of CO2 annually by FY30, avoiding more emissions than the total currently produced by the country's entire power sector.

Pakistan's rapid solar uptake has positioned it as the second-largest global importer of Chinese solar panels in FY25, bringing 17.9 gigawatts (GW), with cumulative imports surpassing 50 GW. Households, farms and industries are increasingly shifting to solar as it makes financial sense because of rising grid tariffs and expensive imported fuels. "Amid Pakistan's economic and employment challenges, the country's solar rush is delivering clear cross-sector dividends, from declining thermal reliance to new economic activity and the creation of jobs," noted Muhammad Sheraz, Energy Analyst at Renewables First. "These outcomes are not only transforming the energy sector but also laying the foundation for substantial economic growth."