Says battery storage technology offered huge potential to boost isolated grids in GB
Energy Minister Awais Ahmad Leghari. PHOTO: FILE
Energy Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari said on Saturday that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) would play a central role in Pakistan’s energy transition by improving grid stability, supporting greater integration of renewable energy and paving the way for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).
Addressing the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) conference organized by the Pakistan Solar Association in Lahore, the minister said that battery storage had become an essential component of modern power systems as Pakistan’s electricity sector undergoes a fundamental transformation driven by the rapid expansion of distributed solar energy.
He said the growing use of rooftop solar systems had significantly changed the demand pattern for electricity, resulting in lower demand during daytime hours and higher consumption during evening hours.
“This changing demand profile creates operational challenges for the national grid as excess solar energy generated during the day must be balanced with rising demand after sunset,” he said.
Leghari said BESS offered an efficient solution by storing excess solar energy during daytime hours and feeding it back to the grid during peak demand, thereby improving grid flexibility, reducing reliance on expensive peaking power plants and improving the integration of renewable energy.
He said the government had declared battery energy storage a strategic priority and established a federal steering committee for BESS to formulate a coordinated national policy and expedite regulatory and implementation measures.
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The minister said that battery storage technology offers enormous potential to strengthen isolated grids in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), improve electricity reliability in Gwadar, integrate renewable energy in remote areas and increase the resilience of the national transmission network.
Leghari said: “Battery Energy Storage Systems are sophisticated energy systems that require strict adherence to international standards. Quality, certification and standardization must remain central to our strategy. Only high-quality, certified and internationally compliant battery systems should be imported, manufactured or assembled in Pakistan.”
He said the Ministry of Energy had asked all relevant stakeholders to adopt International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards and allow only IEC-certified battery modules to ensure consumer safety and system reliability.
The minister said the government was also promoting domestic manufacturing of battery systems through a dedicated manufacturing policy for battery energy storage systems being developed by the Ministry of Industry and Production.
He said the policy would encourage domestic and foreign investment, facilitate technology transfer, strengthen local supply chains and create skilled employment opportunities with the long-term goal of transforming Pakistan into a regional hub for battery manufacturing and innovation.
The minister said the widespread adoption of electric vehicles would put further pressure on the country’s electricity distribution network unless supported by battery storage solutions.
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Leghari said the government envisioned an integrated energy ecosystem where rooftop solar panels, battery storage, smart grids and electric vehicles would work together to improve energy efficiency, reduce pressure on the grid and maximize the use of renewable energy.
“Pakistan’s energy transition is entering a defining phase. Renewable energy, digitization, distributed generation, battery storage and electric mobility will together shape the future of our power sector,” he said.
The minister called for close collaboration between policy makers, regulators, utilities, manufacturers, investors, academia and development partners and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a policy and regulatory environment that promotes innovation and investment.
He expressed confidence that with the right policies, strong public-private partnerships and a commitment to local manufacturing, Pakistan had the potential to become not only a major user of battery energy storage systems, but also a regional hub for their manufacturing and innovation.
