A PEOPLE-POWERED ENERGY REVOLUTION: THE GREAT SOLAR RUSH IS HERE TO STAY
Pakistan’s Solar Transition
Pakistan’s solar revolution is transforming the country’s energy landscape as communities and businesses take control of their power supply, outpacing government policy and infrastructure. With 22 GW of solar panels imported in just 18 months, the nation is experiencing a mass shift toward decentralized solar solutions. To ensure long-term sustainability, this momentum must be supported by policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and market mechanisms.
Policy Alignment and Leadership
At the Great Solar Rush Conference 2025 in Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, Senator Sherry Rehman emphasized the urgency of aligning policy with this people-led transformation. “Pakistan has emerged as a market leader in South Asia for solar adoption. We should not be disabling this revolution; we should be enabling it,” she said. She cautioned that failing to integrate solar into national planning could stall progress on energy security and economic stability. Related coverage is available at Renewables First report.
Economic Drivers of Solar Adoption
Zeeshan Ashfaq, CEO of Renewables First, highlighted the economic factors driving this transition. “Millions of people are choosing solar PV panels—not because of climate change or government policies, but because economics make perfect sense.” He urged policymakers to embrace distributed generation in future energy planning instead of obstructing it.
Muhammad Mustafa Amjad, Director of Programs at Renewables First, underscored the unprecedented scale of Pakistan’s solar boom. “With 16 gigawatts of solar panels entering Pakistan in a single fiscal year, we are talking about 23 times the installed utility solar capacity,” he said. He added that grid electricity consumption has fallen by 10%, decoupling from GDP growth, signaling a permanent shift in energy demand patterns.
Solar Supply Chains and Policy Reforms
The first panel discussion explored solar supply chains, net metering reforms, and policy strategies to sustain the boom. Ali Majid, General Manager of Longi, noted that high electricity costs and lack of local manufacturing hinder domestic solar production. He suggested mandating public sector projects to use ‘Made in Pakistan’ panels to attract international investment in local assembly plants. Waqas Moosa, Chairman of the Pakistan Solar Association, reinforced that Pakistan’s solar adoption is unprecedented globally, warning that poorly communicated policy changes could destabilize the market.
Grid Infrastructure Challenges
The second panel focused on strengthening grid infrastructure to accommodate rising solar penetration. Syed Faizan Ali Shah, Member of the Prime Minister’s Solarization Committee, noted that solar adoption has reduced daytime energy demand by 10 TWh annually, creating challenges for grid operators. He stressed that smart metering and distributed energy controls are urgently needed. Umer Farooq of LUMS Energy Institute echoed this view, calling for a shift from top-down energy planning to decentralized smart-grid solutions. Learn more at Renewables First Data & Analytics.
Keynote on Grid Readiness
In his keynote, Dr. Fiaz Chaudhary, Chairman of NTDC, stressed that energy institutions failed to anticipate the solar boom, leaving the grid unprepared for reverse power flows and decentralized generation. He criticized outdated regulations and infrastructure, calling for real-time data monitoring and smarter grid controls. Dr. Chaudhary warned that net metering creates financial imbalances as solar prosumers pay less for grid maintenance, urging reforms to ensure stability. He emphasized that solar must complement, not disrupt, the grid, and that industrial growth is essential to balance energy demand.
Conclusion
The conference highlighted a clear message: Pakistan’s solar transition is unstoppable. To fully benefit, the government, regulators, and industry must collaborate to modernize the energy sector, integrate storage solutions, and ensure a fair, competitive electricity market. Additional insights are available at Renewables First coverage.
Original article: 24newshd.tv