ISLAMABAD: Pakistan can manufacture low-cost solar panels with the help of China to generate electricity and resolve the issue of power outages in the country.
An expert told WealthPK that the solar panels could be manufactured in the special economic zones (SEZs) built under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in the country.
“Pakistan should seek the help of China to produce solar panels in SEZs as China is a leader in solar technology. Pakistan can meet its power demands by manufacturing solar panels. On the one hand, it will reduce power tariffs in the country, and on the other will generate job opportunities for local youth,” said Amjad Hussein, an expert in renewable energy.
He said that the price of imported solar panels was high despite tax and duty exemptions. “It would be better for us to manufacture solar panels locally,” he added.
He said that the price of locally manufactured solar panels would be reasonable and easily installed in homes and small industrial units.
An official of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, who wished not to be named, said that being a global leader in solar energy, China could share its technology, expertise and success stories of protection of the environment with the rest of the world.
He said that the new policies of Pakistan to expand the solar energy sector could provide a golden chance to Chinese investors and traders to invest in the country. He said that the investment would enable Pakistanis to generate cheap electricity by adopting sustainable and environment-friendly means.
“The world is moving towards smart solutions to address the energy crisis. The new technology was adopted in Europe 20 years ago. However, Pakistan being a developing country lags behind the developed world,” he said.
The official said that public-private partnership was the need of the hour to explore the potential of the sector in the country. He added that recently, Pakistan had taken some initiatives to fulfil its partial energy requirements through renewable energy projects.
“Owing to faulty grid stations, old distribution system and line losses as well as an increase in demand for electricity, consumers are subjected to frequent power outages and blackouts, which remain on peak during summer,” he said.
He said that government should support small and medium enterprises to take initiative to enhance solar panel production in the country. He said that government should facilitate big and capable firms to set up plants in collaboration with their Chinese counterparts to manufacture solar panels.
“To fulfil the country’s ever-increasing energy demand, continuous hydro and solar power generation is needed. Solar energy is available in abundance across the country. The world now appears to be entering a new era of the solar energy revolution. Pakistan should also follow suit,” he added.
The government has been making efforts to resolve the issue of power load shedding for the last few years. However, the gap between demand and supply for electricity is too huge to be filled through the prevalent energy generation methods. The Water and Power Development Authority has planned to increase generation of electricity from the present 9,406 megawatts to 20,591 megawatts by 2028-29.
According to a report of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, available with WealthPK, 530 megawatts of large-scale solar photovoltaic capacity have been integrated to the national grid. The Alternative Energy Development Board data shows that another 460 megawatts project is also in the advanced stage.
