The world is fast moving towards energy storage solutions. First the solar panels technology improved amid sharp fall in prices, now its lithium-ions batteries turnwhose prices are nose-diving. Battery storage solutions are gaining traction. It’s a global phenomenon, however, adaptation in Pakistan is amongst the fastest.
Electricity prices are one of the highest in Pakistan. Hence, alternate solution adaptation is rampant. Pakistan is estimated to have as much as 22 GW of installed solar capacity while net metering is a fraction of it. With or without net metering, households are likely to move fast towards battery storage solutions.
Interestingly, storage solutions are in offing in Pakistan for long. In the last decade, UPS and small generatorsdominated the space, as there was a problem of chronic power shortages. Now the grid has access supply, but the issue is affordability, solar powered storage solutions are solving the problem. The reliance on grid was and will remain sub-optimal.
When the solar panels prices started falling, its penetration accelerated, as over $2 billion worth of solar panels were imported from China in 2024. Earlier, consumers (especially non-net metered households), started using traditional lead-acid batteries to store energy. That was expensive and inefficient solution (perhaps more cost-efficient than grid supply).
Now the trend is changing with nose-diving lithium-ion batteries prices which is evident by $157 million worth of lithium-ion battery imports in first six months of 2025 – higher than entire import bill of 2024.
The conversion from lead -acid and fresh usage of lithium-ion is only going to speed up. Although, upfront cost today is slightly higher than the conventional lead-acid batteries,the life of the lithium-ion is significantly higher than the latter.Hence, it’s a no-brainer to install lithium-ion batteries.
Seeing this, one of the leading battery manufacturers, Treet Battery Limited, have recently signed an agreement with Highstar Digital Energy Technology (Guangdong) Co., Ltd, one of the largest producers of non-automotive lithium-ion batteries in the world for the import and sale of lithium-ion batteries in Pakistan.
Treet Battery was the first player to bring maintenance free lead-acid batteries (Daewoo Batteries) to Pakistan. The focus was to have better technology and higher life (that is whyIt started offering 12 months warranty, as against 6-Month warranty norm). The option was expensive, but better value for money.
That holds true for lithium-ion which is the future, and Treet battery is becoming the first mover here too. Lithium-ion offers warranties ranging from 5 to 10 years. The market needs serious players in the venture to provide good and sustained after-sale services. It is imperative to have authorized dealer network across the country.
Additionally, the technical specifications of the batteries available in the local market are also all over the place, and as a customer it is very hard to be sure if one is buying a good quality product that will last for years to come or making an expensive mistake.
For consumers, having the option of a lithium battery supplier backed by a reputable name (such as Treet name, which is a group of companies with an over 70-year history of diversified operations in Pakistan) is a comfort and that may accelerate the transition. And with a large global player being part of the picture also means that a high product quality standard can also be assured.
It is likely that many other industrial players to venture into the lithium-ion business. Theyfollowedin the maintenance free segment, and perhaps in the lithium-ion too. The market is up for disruption.
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