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

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Thursday “critical energy planning” for Pakistan’s future and said 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 view of future energy needs, a plan was being worked on to maintain strategic crude oil reserves in the country.

Chief Minister Shehbaz, while directing that only electric buses and motorcycles be purchased for government use in future, also stated that faster steps should be taken to establish charging stations for electric vehicles (EV).

“A plan should be developed to facilitate the procurement of batteries to store surplus electricity generated 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 shift transportation systems toward electric vehicles, including procuring only electric buses and motorcycles for government use in the future.

During the briefing of the meeting, it was reported that in the context of the regional situation, the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC) created 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, thanks to the ongoing efforts of oil and gas companies, local oil and gas production was increasing.

Read more: Supply shortfalls prolong electricity outages

“Two pilot projects for grid-level battery storage are being developed under the PC-I scheme, while domestic consumers producing solar energy are encouraged to install battery storage,” he 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 as the overall power deficit reached 6,500 megawatts (MW), leading to prolonged load shedding in several regions and growing public frustration. According to official estimates, the national electricity deficit has ranged between 4,500 and 6,500 MW in recent days, depending on demand levels.

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

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