Pakistan Buys Record Batteries in 6 Months to Cut Power Bills

Pakistan imported more than 4.5 gigawatts (GW) of battery storage equipment in the first half of 2026, almost half of the country's cumulative historical imports of 9.5GW, a Pakistan Solar Association representative stated.

Key points

• MNA Chaudhry Mubeen Arif Jutt and MNA Asad Alam Niazi additionally triggered concern concerning industrial investment being diverted from production equipment towards energy systems.
• Shah additionally stated the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) was designating battery storage as a regulated asset.
• Lucky Cement Announces Massive Expansion Plan for Pakistan and Congo.
• On provincial reservations under the 18th Amendment, Sanaullah Baloch and Phullain called on a more decentralised approach to policymaking.
• The projects will be developed throughout the Lahore, Multan, Islamabad and Peshawar electricity distribution businesses.

Notably, the rapid expansion in battery storage adoption, driven by households and industrial businesses seeking to reduce electricity costs, was discussed at a parliamentary dialogue organised by the Parliamentary Forum on Energy & Economy.

Convener MNA Sher Ali Arbab remarked Pakistan needed long-term energy planning, adding that battery storage would play an notable role in improving power sector efficiency over the next two decades. Lucky Cement Announces Massive Expansion Plan for Pakistan and Congo.

While demand from electric vehicles and data centres continued to expand, he remarked expensive electricity generation capacity remained underutilised during daytime hours. Arbab pressed a transparent legislative framework developed through cross-party consensus.

Co-convener MNA Dr Nafisa Shah cautioned against unregulated imports of substandard batteries, stressing the need for safety standards, testing facilities and recycling arrangements. She remarked energy policy should balance grid stability with public welfare and ensure that clean energy benefits reached low-income households. Battery Storage Could Reshape Power Sector.

Moderator Usama Mela highlighted the potential impact of battery energy storage systems (BESS) on electricity distribution, warning that more consumers could leave the national grid.

He remarked an unmanaged shift away from the grid could put further financial pressure on electricity tariffs.

MNA Chaudhry Mubeen Arif Jutt and MNA Asad Alam Niazi additionally triggered concern concerning industrial investment being diverted from production equipment towards energy systems. PM Shehbaz to Review Progress on 100MW Solar Project for GB.

Jutt remarked industrialists were investing heavily in captive solar and battery storage to secure affordable electricity and remain competitive with foreign rivals. He cautioned that inadequate market-based procurement arrangements could raise costs for consumers unable to afford storage systems. Battery Taxes Push Up Costs.

They remarked Balochistan's mineral resources, including potential lithium deposits, could backing local battery manufacturing and employment. They additionally called on provincial consultation on mineral extraction and related projects.

Pakistan Solar Association Vice Chairperson Engr Chaudhry Uzair triggered concern regarding the tax burden on battery storage equipment, saying cumulative taxes and customs duties amounted to 35 percent to 40 percent.

He continued that a basic 5-kilowatt-hour battery cost more than Rs. 250, 000, limiting affordability for lower-income households. Power Division Intends Battery Storage Projects. Govt Eyes $18 Billion Investment to Boost Water Supplies, Irrigation Efficiency.

Syed Faizan Shah, adviser to the Power Division, remarked the division would invite competitive tenders within 15 days for four pilot battery energy storage projects, each with a capacity of 10 megawatt-hours.

In practice, the projects will be developed throughout the Lahore, Multan, Islamabad and Peshawar electricity distribution businesses.

Shah additionally stated the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) was designating battery storage as a regulated asset. The move would allow distribution firms to ease pressure on overloaded transformers at a lower cost than building new grid stations.

Lahore Electric Supply Firm Chairman Amir Zia stated distribution transformers faced reverse power flows from rooftop solar systems during the day, followed by sharp increases in demand in the evening.

He remarked battery storage could assist retain surplus daytime electricity for employ during peak evening hours.

Notably, the dialogue concluded with participants agreeing that utility-scale and distributed battery storage systems were becoming increasingly significant for Pakistan's power sector. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

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Taken together, the developments around pakistan Buys Record Batteries in 6 Months to Cut Power Bills point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.