‘Pakistan has effectively reached commercially viable economics for solar-plus-storage’
BR Research
December 5, 2025
With over 15 years of experience in solar PV technology, IPP development, and large-scale engineering projects, he has led major installations across Uzbekistan (300MW+), Kazakhstan (50MW), and Pakistan (125MW).
Before joining LONGi in 2022, Osman spent nine years at Reon Energy, where he built and led the engineering division and delivered high-impact projects, including a 60MW IPP in Kazakhstan, a 5.3MW solar project in Qatar, and multiple captive power plants in Pakistan. He began his career at Engro Powergen, working on a 220MW power plant and evaluating new renewable technologies.
A NUST Electrical Engineering graduate, Osman has played a key role in expanding advanced solar technologies in Pakistan and Central Asia, launching LONGi’s Back Contact panels and leading regional training programs that enabled Central Asia’s first MW-scale project.
In his recent conversation with
BR Research, he shares his insights on the opportunities, challenges, and future trajectory of solar energy in Pakistan. Following are the edited excerpts:
BR Research: How do you assess the impact of the government’s recent proposals to revise net-metering tariffs and buyback rates? What implications do you foresee for rooftop solar adoption and investor sentiment?
Osman Maud: The proposed revisions to net-metering tariffs may influence consumer behavior, but rooftop solar adoption is unlikely to slow significantly. Net metering primarily benefits small and medium enterprises and residential consumers, while large industrial players rarely rely on it due to system size limits. Even if incentives are reduced, the high cost of grid electricity keeps solar economically attractive.
Battery-based hybrid systems now offer payback periods of two to three years, and declining battery costs make them increasingly appealing. Overall, rooftop solar adoption will continue, and daytime grid demand may gradually decline.
BRR: Pakistan now faces growing grid-balancing challenges due to high daytime solar injection. From LONGi’s technical perspective, what solutions can help manage the emerging “duck curve” and stabilize the grid?
OM: The duck curve is a real phenomenon in Pakistan, reflecting high daytime solar generation and evening demand peaks. Globally, battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been the most effective solution, storing excess energy during periods of low demand and releasing it later. Time-of-use (TOU) tariffs can also help by incentivizing consumption during peak solar production, such as encouraging EV charging at midday. Combining storage and smart demand management benefits both consumers and the grid, reducing the need for curtailment.
BRR: There is a policy debate between promoting distributed solar versus shifting toward utility-scale renewables. Where does LONGi see Pakistan’s optimal energy mix heading over the next decade?
OM: While utility-scale solar has a role, Pakistan’s strategy should prioritize distributed generation to maximize efficiency. Transmission infrastructure is a bottleneck for large plants, leading to underutilized lines and higher costs. Distributed solar reduces grid strain and allows energy to be generated near consumption points. Combining solar with productive land use, such as agriculture or small-scale farming, further enhances efficiency. Pakistan should avoid relying solely on utility-scale projects and instead build a balanced energy mix with distributed solar as the foundation.
BRR: With DISCOs reporting rising daytime surplus and evening shortages, does Pakistan risk large-scale solar curtailment in the coming years? What technical or regulatory measures should be prioritized?
OM: Large-scale curtailment of rooftop solar is unlikely because selectively controlling numerous installations is technically impractical. Instead, the focus should be on utilization strategies and TOU metering, incentivizing consumption when solar generation is high. Encouraging battery storage allows households to store daytime energy for evening use, making curtailment largely unnecessary while also promoting investment in hybrid systems.
BRR: Battery prices have fallen globally by more than 80 percent over the past decade. How close is Pakistan to reaching cost parity where solar-plus-storage becomes commercially viable for C&I and residential segments?
OM: Pakistan has effectively reached commercially viable economics for solar-plus-storage. Factories and households are already adopting these systems, often achieving payback in less than five years. Declining battery costs and rising electricity tariffs make hybrid systems increasingly attractive. Even if net-metering incentives are adjusted, adoption will continue, gradually reducing daytime grid demand and enhancing energy resilience.
