Pakistan stands at a turning point in its energy journey. With frequent head waves, floods, and rising fuel costs, the country urgently needs a shift toward cleaner, locally sourced energy.
Right now, most of the Pakistani’s electricity still comes from imported fossil fuels, a costly and polluting mix. Yet, our potential for renewable energy is massive. With more than 300 sunny days each year and vast windy corridors in Sindh and Balochistan, solar and wind power could meet much of the nation’s energy demand if properly developed.
Projects like the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park now producing around 400MW and Jhimpir Wind Corridor around 1,200 MV show promise, but progress remains slow. The biggest challenges are inconsistent policies, limited investment, and weak infrastructure that struggles to connect renewables to the national grid.
Clean tech isn’t just about electricity generation, it’s also about innovation which can reshape this picture. Across Pakistan, startups are experimenting with electric bikes, affordable solar systems and energy-efficient appliances. These efforts could reduce pollution, cut costs and crate thousands of jobs.
However, Pakistan’s clean energy transition faces deep-rooted structural and financial challenges. Around 61% of the country’s electricity still comes from coal, oil and gas while renewables contribute less than 6% to the total energy mix. This dependence on the fossil fuels is not only polluting but also expensive in 2024 alone., where Pakistan spent more than $17 billion on fuel imports. The energy sector’s circular debt has also crossed R.s 2.6 trillion, straining public finances and discouraging new investment. Adding to the problem is an aging transmission system that loses nearly 18–20% of electricity during delivery, while frequent power cuts continue to affect industries and households alike. As energy demand grows by around 8% every year, this imbalance between supply and consumption widens. Without urgent reforms, Pakistan risks deeper power shortages and greater economic pressure in the coming years.
To overcome the challenges, Pakistan must adopt clear, long-term strategy focused on clean and local energy. The government should ensure consistent renewable energy policies, fast-track approvals for solar and wind project, and upgrade the national grid to handle variable renewable inputs. Encouraging local manufacturing of solar panels, inverters and batteries could also cut costs and reduce reliance on imports.
At the same time. Investment in research and vocational training is essential to prepare skilled workforce for clean-tech industries. Public-private partnerships can accelerate the deployment of electric mobility, rooftop solar systems, and smart energy management solutions. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), if Pakistan implements these reforms, it could create over 500,000 green jobs by 2030, reduce emissions by up to 30%, and save billions annually in fuel imports.
Pakistan has sunlight, the wind, and the human potential to build a cleaner and more independent energy future. What’s needed now is the determination to act turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s sustainable growth.