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ISLAMABAD, Jul 22 (APP):Experts during a high-level consultative session emphasized that Pakistan must urgently prioritize the development of a comprehensive policy framework to strengthen its local solar manufacturing ecosystem, amidst rising energy demands and import dependency,
The session was hosted by the US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) at NUST.
The session marked the launch of an important study titled “Crafting a Sustainable Business Model to Drive Indigenous Solar PV Panels Manufacturing in Pakistan,” presented by Dr. Nadia Shahzad, Associate Professor at NUST.
The study outlines a detailed roadmap for setting up a 100 MW solar PV panel manufacturing plant in Pakistan, with the capacity to scale up to 1.0 GW. Developed through on-ground facility visits and stakeholder consultations, the model is positioned as a practical blueprint to kickstart local solar panel production.
Welcoming the participants, Dr. Adeel Waqas, Dean and Principal at USPCAS-E, stressed the critical need to establish a self-sufficient solar manufacturing industry to meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs and reduce reliance on imports.
The event attracted a broad range of stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and academics, all of whom echoed the urgency of building a strong domestic solar manufacturing base.
Mr. Maud Osman Mohammad of LONGi Solar lauded the report’s clarity and called for a policy alignment with market demand.
Similarly, Mr. Muhammad Basit Ghauri from Renewables First noted that battery imports exceeding PKR 90 billion in just three months reflect the market’s potential. He emphasized the need for data-driven planning and integration of storage solutions behind the grid.
Dr. Omais Abdur Rehman highlighted favorable global trends for local manufacturing, recommending a policy role for the Engineering Development Board (EDB). Dr. Noor ul Huda Khan of BUITEMS urged alignment with emerging solar technologies such as Perovskite modules.
On the technological front, Mr. Sohaib Asif Sipra, CEO of SkyElectric, warned that nearly half of Pakistan’s solar installations remain informal, risking quality and safety standards. He called for the formation of a dedicated think tank to drive standardization and innovation in battery and inverter manufacturing.
Representing local battery production, Mr. Mansoor Jamil Khan of Atlas Battery highlighted their joint venture with Japan’s GS Yuasa and advocated for lithium-ion safety protocols alongside continued dominance of lead-acid batteries.
Policy-level recommendations were reinforced by Mr. M. Umer Khan of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), who proposed targeted subsidies and strategic import duties to promote indigenous manufacturing.
Mr. Hasnat Khan of the Pakistan Solar Association detailed their training and certification drive in partnership with institutions like TEVTA, NUTECH, and PPIB to ensure quality assurance in solar installations.
Concluding the event, Dr. Majid Ali, Associate Professor at NUST, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to advancing indigenous solar manufacturing and called for ongoing collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
The session served as a powerful reminder of the need for cohesive action and strategic investment to transform Pakistan into a hub of solar innovation and manufacturing.