Prime Minister Shehbaz calls for battery storage system to handle excess solar energy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called “energy planning critical” to Pakistan’s future, saying timely government action 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, work on a plan to maintain strategic reserves of crude oil in the country was underway.

Prime Minister Shehbaz, while directing that only electric buses and motorcycles should be purchased for public use in future, also said that faster steps should be taken to set up charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs).

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

The prime minister also directed the authorities to gradually shift the transport systems towards electric vehicles, including the purchase of electric-only buses and motorcycles for public use in the future.

During the briefing at the meeting, it was informed that the National Coordination and Management Council (NCMC), established for the energy sector, reviews the situation on a daily basis in connection with the regional situation.

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

It was also noted that the local production of gas and oil was increasing through the ongoing efforts of the oil and gas companies.

Read more: Power outages prolong power outages

“Two grid-level battery storage pilot projects are being developed under the PC-I plan, while private consumers producing solar energy were 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 total power outages 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 been between 4,500 and 6,500 MW in recent days, depending on the level of demand.

A day earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed that efforts to accelerate the adoption of electric cars in the country should be stepped up. During a meeting on the promotion of electric cars, it was announced that government employees up to class 16 would be provided with electric bikes on easy installments.

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