ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (Alliance News): Experts at a consultative session on Monday urged the government to introduce special incentives and financial support to enhance solar panel manufacturing in Pakistan.
The session, titled “Shaping the Future of PV Panel Manufacturing in Pakistan,” was organized by the U.S.-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) at NUST, in collaboration with Renewables First.
The event brought together current and prospective solar PV manufacturers, industry experts, and policymakers to discuss the future of solar PV manufacturing in Pakistan. The focus was on creating a supportive environment for supply chains, financing mechanisms, and technology transfer opportunities.
Dr. Adeel Waqas, Principal & Dean of USPCAS-E, NUST, kicked off the session by highlighting the need for proactive measures to overcome barriers in the industry. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to drive growth in PV panel manufacturing.
Dr. Aqeel Jaffri, Director of Policy at PPIB, provided an update on the draft Solar PV Manufacturing Policy. He stressed the need for improvements in areas such as taxation, raw material imports, and export strategies, and advocated for targeting the local market to strengthen domestic capabilities.
Dr. Khalid Waleed, a Research Fellow at SDPI, emphasized the need for incentives, tax grants, and subsidies to give Pakistan a competitive edge in the global market. He called for long-term policy plans to ensure sustained growth in the industry.
Saqib Zaidi, COO of REON Energy, urged for an aggressive policy framework that favors investors, pointing out that local manufacturing could become competitive with a 30% subsidy or financing support.
Ali Majid, Country Director at Longi Solar, discussed the growing interest of Chinese investors in Pakistan, driven by the country’s potential and slowing growth in China. He suggested that technology transfer from Chinese companies could be beneficial.
Ahmed Ammar Yasser, Chief of Party at PFAN, emphasized the importance of focusing on allied components of solar PV systems, which could be localized more easily. He highlighted the potential benefits of partnerships with Chinese companies amid global geopolitical shifts.
Asim Riaz, Secretary General of the Pakistan Solar Association, warned that without international technology transfer, local panel manufacturers might struggle to meet global standards.
Abid Kitchlew, EVP at the National Bank of Pakistan, stressed the need for government support to ensure funding availability for manufacturing projects. He suggested innovative financing strategies, such as tax rebates for lenders, and advocated for the involvement of the banking sector in policymaking.
Muhammad Kamil Qaddus, Sector Specialist at the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, mentioned plans to gather feedback from academia and stakeholders for the coming year, which will be submitted for further consideration.
Dr. Tahir Izhar, Director of R&D at MaxPower, emphasized the potential for solar PV manufacturing in Pakistan, noting that the current capacity is insufficient to meet demand.
The session concluded with Dr. Nadia Shahzad of USPCAS-E outlining plans to support the local manufacturing ecosystem in collaboration with industry experts, aiming to attract additional investments in the sector.
Participants agreed on the urgent need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including investors, startups, government bodies, and academia. By aligning these efforts, Pakistan can develop an effective policy for localizing solar PV manufacturing and tap into the growing global clean energy market.
