CASS Lahore hosts roundtable on Pakistan’s energy security, solar transition

LAHORE, March 31: The Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS) Lahore held a roundtable discussion on Pakistan’s energy security in 2026, focusing on the viability of solar power and the country’s transition towards alternative energy sources.

The session brought together academics, researchers and energy experts to examine how solar adoption is reshaping Pakistan’s energy landscape and what steps are needed to ensure long-term sustainability.

Research Assistant Maheera Munir opened the discussion, outlining the importance of addressing energy challenges within a broader national security framework.

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Dr Naveed Arshad, Director of the Energy Institute at LUMS, said Pakistan is undergoing a significant shift in its energy mix, with solar power now contributing around 25% of total electricity generation. He noted that unlike other countries, Pakistan’s solar expansion has largely been driven by individual households rather than large-scale government or private sector projects.

He attributed this growth to factors such as high solar potential, widespread rooftop availability, familiarity with alternative energy sources and supportive net metering policies. He said achieving energy security would require wider electrification, adoption of innovative solutions, and investment in battery technologies and storage systems.

In his concluding remarks, Air Marshal (retd) Asim Suleiman, President of CASS Lahore, said solar energy is gaining momentum due to declining costs and increasing demand from households and businesses. He stressed that integrating solar into the national grid would require improvements in storage capacity, smart grids and forecasting systems.

He added that governance and financing mechanisms will play a key role in sustaining growth, noting that current policy decisions will shape Pakistan’s energy resilience in the years ahead.

The event concluded with an interactive session where participants discussed issues including the role of artificial intelligence in energy systems, solar panel disposal, and economic considerations of the transition.