Abstract:
Energy generation in Pakistan relies heavily on fossil fuels, which are increasingly unable
to meet the country's growing energy demands due to its large population and
industrialization. These safe energy sources also stance significant environmental risks and
are not practical for electrifying remote areas. Therefore, exploring alternative energy
sources is crucial. Despite the introduction of policies such as the Alternative and
Renewable Energy Policy (ARE Policy) 2019, progress in renewable energy adoption is
hindered by poor implementation and inadequate stakeholder engagement. Technical
barriers, such as outdated grid infrastructure and insufficient energy storage solutions,
further delay development. Financial challenges, particularly high upfront costs, also
impede the growth of the solar energy sector. Institutional barriers, including inconsistent
provincial policies and weak public-private partnerships, contribute to the slow progress.
Through semi-structured interviews with industry professional’s surveys with vendors and
consumers, key barriers across the solar energy range have been identified. This research
proposes important policy recommendations for institutions and the government to address
these challenges and maximize the utilization of solar energy in Pakistan.
