Pakistan among top 10 solar-producing countries

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is included among the top ten solar-producing countries of the world, according to Powerweb Forecast International’s Energy Portal.

It stated that Pakistan only became a solar country in 2012 when its first on-grid plant came online. It has high ambitions. Central to its solar strategy is the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park billed for completion which will have a 1GW capacity and will be the largest of its kind in the world. Due to the recent fall in global tariffs, Pakistan is set to adopt power auctions which could further push down solar energy prices.

According to Renewable Energy Country attractiveness Index (RECAI), Pakistan is ranked number 26 with China appearing on the top in this sector. It said that in Pakistan in recent years, policies have become attractive for renewables through a successful FiT (Feed in Tariff) regime. There is a 3.5GW wind target in place by 2018 and large solar plants are also being constructed, though solar is now due to move to competitive auctions.

Powerweb noted that the environmental record of China (130.4GW) leaves a lot to be desired. This perception goes a long way to explain why its recent efforts haven’t received much attention despite expansion of its solar capacity by 81 percent last year. China is aiming to generate 20 percent of its power using renewable means by 2030 – a feat made all the more exciting given its previous track record. By 2014 it accounted for as much as 70 percent of the world’s total installed solar thermal capacity – a trend it is keen to see continued.

As per PowerWeb, the United States (85.3GW) stands on number two. It has the technology, talent and environmental conditions required for large-scale solar rollout (not to mention the ever-increasing demand). But political support for renewables has been patchy to say the least, and with Trump threatening to withdraw America from the Paris Agreement the future for solar in the US is far from certain. Nevertheless, the American solar prospects are far from bleak. A number of states have set high renewable energy goals and solar will inevitably make a significant contribution to these. As it stands, the US is home to many of the world’s largest solar installations as well as advanced domestic capabilities.

Japan (63.3GW) was shown at number three. With long established technology and manufacturing sectors, it was a natural early adopter of solar generation and continues to innovate in the sector, aiming for solar to meet 10 percent of the country’s energy demands by 2050. Japan is notable for its Solar Ark building completed in 2002 which is one of the world’s largest solar buildings and serves to educate visitors about sustainability. A Japanese company recently made the world’s most efficient solar panel.

India (57.4GW) is on number four. Entering into the solar game as recently as 2011, India is predicted to make massive strides in production by 2020, with the World Bank providing $1 billion in lending in this year alone. Its solar boom has only just begun with the Modi government aiming to have an installed capacity of 100GW by 2022. As a developing country, solar also plays an extended role in heating and purifying water in many Indian regions and exemplifies the potential to leapfrog generation methods used by more developed countries.

Germany (48.4GW) is on number five on this list. It hit the headlines in recent years for making a number of significant commitments to renewable energy. Its Energiewende strategy aims to ensure that by 2050 it obtains at least 60 percent of its energy from renewable sources as part of its drive to slash carbon emissions. As Europe’s leading country for renewables, Germany boasts nearly 30 significant generation plants, which each generate at least 20MW annually. Similar to the UK, Germany is breaking its own solar records this year.

Italy (22.6GW) stands on number six. Its presence in the rankings is atypical since it is a net energy importer and lacks many of the assets of its peers. In spite of this solar makes up almost 10 percent of its energy mix and is set to double in the next decade. Eurostat has even suggested that Italy could exceed its 2020 target.

This method of power generation not only represents an opportunity for Italy to exploit a resource it has in abundance, but also a chance to reduce dependence on foreign generation.

Britain figures on number seven of this data, France (12.8GW) on number eight; and Australia (12.2GW) on number nine.