Pakistan's massive solar capacity surge is now a global headline, but industry leaders are urgently calling for a rapid scale-up in energy storage to match this photovoltaic growth.
Pakistan’s Huge Solar Imports Now Need Lithium-ion Battery Packs
In 2024, Pakistan imported an estimated 17 GW of solar modules. While battery energy storage system (BESS) imports haven't reached the same scale, the sector is growing. Data suggests lithium-ion battery packs imports hit ~1.25 GWh in 2024, with another 400 MWh in early 2025. This growth in battery energy storage remains critically behind the pace needed to stabilize the grid fed by intermittent solar power.
High Tariffs Slow BESS Growth for Energy Storage
A significant barrier is policy. Importing a complete BESS faces an effective tax rate as high as 48%. In stark contrast, the government's proposed 18% sales tax on imported solar panels was reduced to 10% during the PV import boom. The Pakistan Solar Association opposes both levies, advocating for policies that accelerate, not hinder, energy storage installations.
Why Grid-Scale BESS is Key for Utility-Scale Solar Projects
Wasif Haroon Moosa of the Pakistan Solar Association declares a "battery emergency." He argues Pakistan's grid issue is low demand, not overload. Increasing electrification—like converting 20+ million gasoline motorcycles to EVs—creates demand and reduces fossil fuel reliance. "Solar is helping bridge the gap," Moosa states, emphasizing that grid-scale BESS investment paired with supportive regulation is key to distributing solar power throughout the day.
How Net Metering Changes Will Fuel Energy Storage System Installations
Industry analysis points to a coming market inflection point driven by policy evolution. A significant shift in net metering regulations is anticipated to act as a major catalyst, triggering a surge in behind-the-meter energy storage installations. This transition is expected as consumers, particularly early adopters of technologies like electric vehicles, seek greater energy independence and optimization. While policy changes have been deliberated, experts agree that adapting the regulatory framework is essential for long-term market sustainability.
This impending shift underscores a pivotal opportunity for solar battery companies and stakeholders in the energy storage sector, positioning BESS not just as a support for utility-scale solar projects, but as a cornerstone of a modernized, resilient distributed energy grid in Pakistan.
Post time: Dec-11-2025