PM Shehbaz calls for battery storage system to manage surplus solar power

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called energy planning “essential” for Pakistan’s future, saying the government’s timely actions during the Middle East conflict helped ease the crisis.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), while chairing a meeting on energy security, the Prime Minister said that in view of future energy needs, work on a plan to maintain strategic crude oil reserves in the country was underway.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, while demanding that only electric buses and motorcycles be procured for government use in future, also said that faster steps should be taken to establish charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs).

“A plan should be drawn up to facilitate the acquisition of batteries to store surplus electricity produced from solar energy. Efforts should be made to encourage local production of high-quality storage batteries,” he said.

The Prime Minister also ordered authorities to gradually reorient transport systems towards electric vehicles, including purchasing only electric buses and motorcycles for government use in the future.

During the briefing, it was informed that in the context of the regional situation, the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) established for the energy sector was reviewing the situation on a daily basis.

“The country currently has sufficient oil reserves and the food security situation remains stable,” the statement said.

It was further noted that with the continued efforts of oil and gas companies, local gas and oil production was increasing.

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“Two grid-level battery storage pilot projects are being developed under the PC-I plan, while domestic solar-producing consumers are encouraged to install battery storage,” the statement added.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers, including Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Aurangzeb, Energy Minister Sardar Awais Leghari, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Climate Minister Musadik Malik, along with senior officials and advisors.

The country is currently facing a worsening electricity crisis, with the overall electricity deficit having reached 6,500 megawatts (MW), leading to prolonged power outages in several regions and growing frustration among the population. According to official estimates, the national electricity deficit has fluctuated between 4,500 and 6,500 MW in recent days, depending on the level of demand.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz had ordered that efforts to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the country be intensified. At a meeting on the promotion of electric vehicles, it was announced that government employees up to the 16th grade would receive electric bicycles with easy installments.

In a meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz was informed that plans are underway to make 30 percent of the country’s vehicles electric in the next five years, which could result in fuel savings of around $4.5 billion.