'Made in Pakistan' clean energy push begins
An "E-Cluster" model is being implemented in Pakistan to establish an integrated clean-energy manufacturing ecosystem across the country, with the aim of transforming Pakistan into a regional clean energy manufacturing and technology hub, according to China Economic Net.
Qasim Kamal, Group Director of Suzhou IBI Engineering (Belt & Road Economic and Trade Centre), said high-end technological capabilities, manufacturing know-how, quality standards and supply-chain expertise will be progressively introduced and localised in major industrial hubs in Pakistan.
"At the heart of the initiative is the transfer and localisation of Chinese technology and industrial expertise. The goal is to build Pakistan's own production capabilities and develop competitive 'Made in Pakistan' products and brands," he said.
Through a phased localisation strategy, production will adopt a completely knocked down (CKD) assembly model in the initial stage, allowing manufacturing to begin while local capabilities are developed. Over time, localisation of key components will increase, eventually leading to the establishment of a comprehensive domestic supply chain.
"For the first time, the '3+3' model is developed in Pakistan," Kamal said. "The Chinese side provides technology transfer, R&D support, manufacturing lines and integrated supply-chain capabilities. Local partners provide land, regulatory approvals, market development and sales capabilities."
Joint R&D projects are being established in cooperation with Pakistani universities and local industry partners to cultivate indigenous research capacity and develop new technologies.
The programme is also exploring hydrogen fuel-cell technologies to develop market-competitive solutions as hydrogen technologies mature, Kamal said.
The initiative, conceived in 2022, has now entered implementation phase in 2026, bringing four to five partners into the programme covering battery manufacturing, electric-vehicle production and energy-storage systems. Large-scale production is expected to begin within five to six months.
Pakistan has become one of the fastest-growing new energy markets in Asia and globally, with cumulative solar PV deployed capacity reaching 38 GW by FY25, from less than 2 GW three years ago. Lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) imports rose 220% year-on-year to 4.6 GWh in calendar year 2025, according to Renewables First, a think tank.
Earlier this month, Federal Minister for Power Awais Leghari unveiled an ambitious roadmap to increase clean electricity's share to 90% by 2035, up from the current level of 55%.
"For long, Pakistan's renewable market has been driven by import. Through the initiative, we aim to transform Pakistan into a regional clean energy manufacturing and technology hub, creating local jobs and added value," Kamal added.