BELEM, Brazil: In a landmark shift for an emerging economy, Pakistan’s rooftop solar generation will exceed daytime grid demand in major industrial regions next year, according to Aisha Moriani, Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Pakistan’s lead negotiator.
She confirmed that cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Sialkot will experience “negative grid-linked demand” during peak sunshine hours in 2026 as behind-the-meter solar completely offsets consumption in large areas.
Driven by frequent power outages and steep tariff hikes, Pakistan has become the world’s third-largest solar panel importer. Its solar adoption rate now surpasses even neighbouring China on a per-capita basis, slashing emissions and household bills but hammering the finances of debt-laden distribution companies.
“Pakistan’s challenge is no longer whether renewables will grow, but how fast the grid, regulations, and market design can adapt,” Moriani said.
To address revenue losses, the government plans new tariffs for large solar users and revised fixed charges to ensure fair contributions toward grid maintenance. The solar boom has also prompted Islamabad to renegotiate LNG contracts with Qatar, cancel Eni cargoes, and seek greater flexibility and lower prices.
While grid demand is still projected to rise 3-4% this year, the rapid solar surge means traditional consumption growth will be increasingly suppressed during daylight hours, marking a turning point for South Asia’s energy landscape.