Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant authorities to convert high loss electricity feeders operated by Peshawar Electric Supply Company and Quetta Electric Supply Company to solar energy, as part of ongoing electricity sector reforms. The directive was issued during a high level review meeting held in Islamabad to assess progress and policy direction in the power sector. The move is aimed at reducing distribution losses, improving service reliability and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to communities that have long been affected by outages and inefficiencies.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that the solarization of loss making feeders would help establish sustainable and low cost micro grid systems at the local level. He noted that these micro grids would not only reduce the financial strain on distribution companies but would also provide dependable power to consumers who face frequent disruptions. The Prime Minister emphasized that the initiative would be implemented through a collaborative model in which provincial governments, the federal government and local communities would work as partners. According to him, community involvement would be essential to ensure long term ownership, maintenance and effective utilization of the solar infrastructure.
Officials briefed the meeting in detail on the proposed conversion of selected feeders to solar energy, outlining both technical and financial aspects of the plan. The briefing highlighted how solar powered feeders could significantly lower operational losses for PESCO and QESCO, which have historically struggled with high line losses and recovery challenges. Participants were informed that shifting these feeders to solar energy would help stabilize supply in remote and underserved areas while reducing dependence on the national grid. After reviewing the proposal, the Prime Minister granted in principle approval for the project and instructed authorities to immediately initiate pilot projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These pilot initiatives are expected to serve as test cases for potential scaling to other regions facing similar challenges.
The decision comes at a time when Pakistan is witnessing a rapid increase in solar energy adoption across residential, commercial and industrial segments. In recent years, consumers have increasingly turned to solar solutions to manage frequent power outages and rising electricity tariffs. According to available reports, the country’s net metering capacity has reached 6,000 megawatts, while off grid solar installations have grown to a combined capacity of 12,000 megawatts by the end of 2025. This shift reflects a broader change in consumer behavior as well as growing confidence in solar technology as a reliable alternative energy source.
International data further underscores the pace of Pakistan’s solar expansion. The International Energy Agency has identified Pakistan as one of the fastest growing solar markets globally. In the first half of the year alone, the country imported approximately 50 gigawatts worth of solar panels, most of them from China. This surge has made Pakistan the third largest market for Chinese solar panels worldwide, drawing attention from international manufacturers, investors and energy analysts. The scale of imports highlights both rising domestic demand and the government’s broader push toward renewable energy solutions.
By approving the solarization of high loss feeders in PESCO and QESCO, the government is seeking to combine technological innovation with sustainable energy planning. The initiative is expected to ease pressure on distribution companies, lower losses and deliver long term relief to consumers in affected regions. It also aligns with Pakistan’s expanding renewable energy footprint, reinforcing solar power as a practical tool for addressing structural issues in the electricity sector while strengthening the country’s overall energy infrastructure.
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