Reference News Network, November 6 report - According to an article published on the website of the British magazine The Economist on November 3 titled "How China is Driving a Rooftop Solar Revolution in Pakistan," the following is a compilation:

Last summer, Pakistan experienced record high temperatures, and Muhammad Munir could no longer bear it. Despite electricity bills accounting for a quarter of his income, frequent power outages made it impossible for his family to even use fans when the temperature soared above 50 degrees Celsius. So, he, like more and more Pakistanis, started to solve the energy problem himself by installing rooftop solar panels imported from China.

Chinese green technology is reshaping markets in many parts of the world, and Pakistan may be the most typical example. This year, Pakistan has become one of the largest importers of solar panels in the world. It has become a "testing ground" for the green energy transition in the Global South.

In Pakistan, solar panels can be seen everywhere, from bungalows to mosques, from farms to roadside shops. In rural areas, they are often installed on trailers that can be moved from one house to another. Solar panels are even increasingly appearing in dowries.

Trade data shows that in 2024, Pakistan's imports of solar panels from China jumped to 16 gigawatts. In the first nine months of 2025, the country imported another 16 gigawatts.

More and more solar panel users in Pakistan are starting to install Chinese-made batteries so that they can have electricity after sunset.

The strong demand for solar panels has led to a surge in the import of Chinese-made batteries to fully utilize existing solar panels. Ayesha Ahmed Khan Legari, Pakistan's Minister of Energy, said: "As battery storage prices fall, people will turn to battery storage, which is an inevitable trend."

The minister said he has begun negotiations with China on adjusting power generation project agreements, and is also seeking professional support from China and other countries to promote the modernization of Pakistan's power grid and improve the electricity market. At the same time, the Pakistani government is trying to attract Chinese investment to manufacture solar panels, batteries, and other green technology products locally.

Lauri Mäkilä, researcher at the Finnish Energy and Clean Air Research Center, said: "Pakistan is actually a test case. It shows that technologies that do not require complicated approval and administrative procedures, and can be installed by consumers and business users themselves, can be promoted more quickly."

How China responds to the minister's proposal is crucial not only for Pakistan but may also provide a model for the energy transition of other countries in the Global South. As China helps countries make full use of cheap solar power, its soft power will be enhanced.

When it comes to the share of solar and wind power generation, the growth rate in the Global South has exceeded that of the Global North. It is no coincidence that in 2024, China's exports of solar products to the Global South exceeded its exports to the Global North for the first time. This is largely due to trade barriers set by wealthy countries. However, the growth in exports to the Global South is also due to the fact that now, for anyone needing new power generation capacity, solar is the cheapest source of electricity.

Data from the International Energy Agency shows that between 2024 and 2030, the green energy capacity in Asia, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa is expected to more than double, while the Middle East and North Africa will see a tripling.

Over the next decade, China will set technical standards for energy infrastructure in developing countries. This will gradually consolidate systems compatible with Chinese technology. It may also give China more political influence in the Global South. Taking a more active stance in multilateral climate negotiations is equally important, as many poorer countries are most affected by global warming.

To fully seize this opportunity, China needs to transfer more technology to help other countries develop their own green energy industries. China also needs to pay more attention to providing support to these countries in green finance, grid modernization, and policy-making to assist their energy transition.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569470268357116442/

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