Pakistan becomes world’s largest importer of solar panels

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan has quietly become the largest country in the world to import solar panels, according to report by the British Energy Think Tank “Amber.

The Pakistan imported more solar panels from all countries and report said that Pakistan only imported 17 GHwat solar panels in 2024.

According to the report, Pakistan’s solar imports are astonishing because it did not happen under a global investment, national program or widespread systematic plan, but with the personal efforts of consumers.

The report said that most of the demand for solar panels is towards domestic consumers, small businesses and commercial companies that want to get cheaper and reliable energy than expensive and uncertain government electricity.

Experts say that in 2024, imports of solar panels of Pakistan are almost half of the total power demand across the country.

Earlier, Pakistan has quickly become one of the world’s largest markets for solar energy, achieving this status in just two to three years.

According to the World Economic Forum, Pakistan imported 13 gigawatts of solar panels in the first half of the current fiscal year, ranking it as the third-largest importer of Chinese solar panels globally.

This surge in imports has significantly advanced Pakistan’s renewable energy sector.

Solar panels now contribute to over 30% of the country’s total energy production, which reached 46 gigawatts in 2023.