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

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday termed “energy planning critical’ to Pakistan’s future”, stating that timely government actions during the Middle East conflict helped mitigate the crisis.

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

PM Shehbaz, while instructing that only electric buses and motorcycles be purchased for government use in the future, also stated that faster steps should be taken to establish charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs).

“A plan should be developed to facilitate the acquisition of batteries for storing surplus electricity generated from solar energy. Efforts should be made to encourage the local production of high-quality storage batteries,” he said.

The prime minister also directed authorities to gradually shift transport systems toward electric vehicles, including the procurement of only electric buses and motorcycles for government use in the future.

During the briefing at the meeting, 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 petroleum reserves, and the food security situation remains stable,” said the statement.

It was further noted that, through ongoing efforts by oil and gas companies, local production of gas and oil was increasing.

Read More: Supply gaps prolong electricity cuts

“Two pilot projects for battery storage at the grid level are being developed under the PC-I plan, while domestic consumers producing solar energy were being encouraged to install battery storage,” it 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 advisers.

The country is currently facing a worsening electricity crisis, as the overall power shortfall reached 6,500 megawatts (MW), leading to prolonged load-shedding in several regions and mounting public frustration. According to official estimates, the national electricity shortfall has ranged between 4,500 and 6,500MW in recent days, depending on demand levels.

A day earlier, PM Shehbaz directed that efforts to accelerate the adoption of EVs in the country be stepped up. During a meeting on the promotion of EVs, it was announced that government employees up to Grade 16 would be provided with electric bikes on easy instalments.

In a meeting, PM Shehbaz was informed that plans are underway for 30 per cent of vehicles in the country to be electric within the next five years, which could result in fuel savings of approximately $4.5 billion.