LAHORE: Pakistan’s deepening energy crisis and its direct link to climate change were brought under the spotlight at the 2nd International Solar Power Conclave and Technology Excellence Awards 2025, held in Lahore.
The landmark event, organised by Energy Update in collaboration with the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA), the Pakistan Alternative Energy Association (PAEA), and the Renewable Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP), assembled senior policymakers, international technology providers, and industry leaders for dialogue on how renewable energy can reshape Pakistan’s energy landscape.
Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, in his keynote address, declared renewable energy to be the most effective remedy for environmental degradation, which he said had already unleashed devastating floods and extreme weather patterns across Pakistan. He praised the example of Sindh’s post-2022 flood rehabilitation initiative, in which more than two million solar-powered houses were constructed for displaced families, describing it as a model for sustainable rebuilding nationwide.
The Governor also criticised policy instability on green meters, which, he argued, had shaken public confidence in renewable energy adoption. Stressing the need to break away from crippling power purchase agreements with independent power producers, he called for bold support of solar manufacturing at an industrial scale and assured the renewable energy sector of government backing.
Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, described the clean energy shift as inseparable from the technological transformation sweeping across the world. He explained that artificial intelligence and renewable energy were already defining the future of economies, and Pakistan must catch up quickly. Unveiling details of the government’s Electric Vehicle Policy 2030, he announced that sixty per cent of the country’s vehicles are planned to be converted to electric over the next decade, with Chinese partnerships being pursued to encourage local manufacturing. He emphasised that Pakistan’s youth would be at the centre of this transition, calling technology not a choice but an inevitability.
Engr. Syed Faizan Ali Shah, a member of the Prime Minister’s Pakistan Solarisation Committee, gave a sobering statistical picture of the country’s energy profile. He revealed that the number of electricity consumers has now reached forty million, with eighteen million falling into the lifeline category—a sharp increase from eleven million in 2022. This rapid growth, he said, shows how unaffordable conventional power has become, forcing households towards subsidised usage and household solar solutions. He also highlighted the government’s initiative to shift nearly six hundred captive industries to the national grid, while proposing the solarisation of grid stations and the introduction of battery storage systems to stabilise supply for industry.
The voices of private sector leaders underscored the frustration over policies that many felt were inconsistent and burdensome.
*Meanwhile, international and local industry representatives also emphasised the pivotal role of solar energy in reshaping Pakistan’s future.
Hamza Sajid of Solis Inverters stressed that solar energy offered the most environmentally responsible path forward, helping Pakistan curb its carbon footprint while meeting growing power demand.
Engr. Mian Fahad, Country Director of Growatt New Energy, highlighted that localised solar solutions could unlock energy access in underserved areas, advancing both social equity and national security.
Mubarak Hussain Mir, Country Manager of Huawei Digital Power Pakistan, observed that large-scale solar deployment would strengthen Pakistan’s resilience against climate change, positioning the country as a regional leader in clean energy adoption.*
Faraz Muhammad Khan, Sales Strategy & Development Manager at Jinko Solar, described solarisation as the key to energy reliability, explaining that Pakistan could achieve long-term stability only by reducing its dependence on volatile fuel imports.
Dany Song, Director of the Product Centre at Risen Energy, noted that renewable energy was not only essential for lowering electricity costs but also for enhancing national independence by cutting reliance on external suppliers.
Waqas Khaleeq, Chief Executive of Smart Solar, pointed out that the widespread adoption of solar power would drive economic sustainability by easing the government’s subsidy burden and making local industry more competitive.
Javed Afridi lamented that harsh taxation and unfriendly regulations had strangled local industrial growth, despite its potential to generate jobs and save foreign exchange. Business executive Faaz Diwan added that the imposition of taxes on solar panels placed an unfair burden on ordinary households, while wealthier consumers often secured exemptions. Renewable energy expert Engr. Haider Javed warned that Pakistan risked falling behind unless it adopted new technologies in time, pointing to the promise of floating solar systems which can simultaneously provide clean energy and conserve water. Similarly, Zakir Ali, Chief Executive of Inverex Solar Energy, maintained that solar power was now an irreversible part of the country’s future, though government support would determine whether its potential was truly realised.
Athar Hayat, Chief Executive of Bahum Global & Bahum Associates, described Pakistan as already being one of the top ten solar markets in the world, arguing that such a position should inspire greater urgency in expanding local manufacturing and investment.
Waqas Moosa, Chairman of the Pakistan Solar Association, closed the technical discussions by emphasising that public–private partnerships were the only way forward to scale renewable energy across Pakistan. International representatives from leading firms echoed this view, pointing to technology transfer, investment opportunities, and global best practices that Pakistan could adopt if it provided a stable policy environment.
Syed Fahad Zeeshan, CEO of Interface Engineering and Construction, argued that a vibrant solar sector would promote technological independence by encouraging domestic expertise and innovation.
The conclave also became a platform for reflecting on Pakistan’s wider energy predicament. For decades, reliance on imported fuels and rigid power contracts has locked the country into a cycle of unaffordable tariffs and mounting subsidies. While the government shoulders enormous costs, industries remain uncompetitive and millions of households are increasingly dependent on subsidies. Yet, the experts at Lahore were unanimous in stating that Pakistan possesses more than enough solar potential to power its future many times over. The country’s challenge, they agreed, was not potential but the political will and policy stability to convert this into reality.
In his welcome address, Muhammad Naeem Qureshi, Chairman of the Organising Committee, spoke about the journey of Energy Update magazine since its inception in 2008, stressing that the conclave was intended to be a knowledge-sharing and networking platform that reinforced Pakistan’s alignment with both national development priorities and global climate goals.
The day concluded with the presentation of the Solar Excellence Awards 2025, which honoured 33 organisations and individuals for outstanding contributions to renewable energy. The ceremony, graced by former Pakistan cricket captain Muhammad Yousaf, added a symbolic touch to an event that aimed to inspire both policymakers and citizens.
The Lahore conclave ultimately carried a clear and urgent message: Pakistan’s future stability, prosperity, and environmental survival depend on a renewable energy revolution. The question left hanging in the air was whether the momentum from this gathering would be translated into concrete and lasting action
