Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari has said that Pakistan's primary energy challenge is no longer electricity generation but the efficient use and storage of power.
Addressing the Solar, Storage & Flexibility 2026 Conference in Islamabad, the minister said Pakistan is undergoing a historic transformation in the energy sector, with the country's installed solar capacity reaching nearly 38,000 megawatts.
He explained that electricity generation exceeds demand during the daytime, while consumption rises sharply in the evening. According to him, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are essential for ensuring grid stability and improving power distribution.
Leghari warned that dependence on imported fuels poses a serious threat to Pakistan's economy and energy security. He cited disruptions in LNG supplies from Qatar, which resulted in nighttime load shedding, while daytime solar generation helped reduce the impact.
The minister stated that 55% of Pakistan's electricity generation now comes from clean energy, with the government aiming to increase that share to 90% by 2035. He stressed that achieving this target would not be possible without large-scale battery storage.
He added that the government is promoting local battery manufacturing, engineering capabilities, and battery management software while developing a national battery energy storage framework and launching pilot projects across distribution companies.
