A. Thailand
B. Pakistan
C. Sri Lanka
D. Malaysia
By early 2026, Pakistan will have emerged as a notable example in Asia for making a massive shift toward solar power and battery storage, significantly reducing reliance on imported natural gas (LNG) and other fossil fuels. Rapid deployment of solar installations — especially rooftop and distributed solar — has dramatically cut the country’s LNG import volumes, saving billions in energy costs while insulating its power sector from global fuel price volatility and supply disruptions. This transition has been driven by market economics, with cheap solar plus storage increasingly competitive against traditional gas‑fired generation.
Pakistan’s energy shift reflects broader trends across South Asia, where industries and utilities are turning to renewables to substitute expensive fossil fuel imports, particularly natural gas. Solar capacity in Pakistan has grown very rapidly, displacing a large share of LNG imports and reducing exposure to fluctuations in international gas markets — a transformation that has been recognized in energy sector discussions in 2025–2026.
Key details:
- Pakistan has led a major transition to solar and battery power by early 2026.
- Rapid solar deployment has cut natural gas (LNG) imports significantly.
- The shift was driven by economic savings and energy security, not just policy.
- Solar + storage reduces dependence on volatile global fuel markets.