Pakistan's solar transition gains momentum, says PM Shehbaz at COP31

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has highlighted Pakistan’s rapid solarisation, saying the country added nearly 22,000 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar capacity in just two years as households and businesses increasingly turned to cheaper and cleaner energy.

Addressing a high-level dialogue on clean energy transition at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday, the prime minister described the expansion as an extraordinary transformation driven by citizens seeking affordable electricity and a more predictable energy supply.

Speaking at the session titled “35 by 35: Powering the Future”, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the 35-by-35 Global Electrification Pledge, which aims to increase electricity’s share of total final energy consumption to around 35% by 2035.

The prime minister also highlighted Pakistan’s progress in expanding clean energy sources, saying they now account for nearly 55% of the country’s energy mix.

He referred to the recent inauguration of a key section of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-5 (C-5), saying the project would add 1,200MW of clean electricity to the national grid.

Shehbaz also outlined the government’s plans to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility, saying the newly drafted automobile policy offers incentives through lower tariffs to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles.

He said the government aimed to ensure that all future government buses and motorcycles would be electric, adding that more than one in every 10 motorcycles sold in Pakistan this year was electric for the first time.

However, the prime minister cautioned that the pace of the clean energy transition could not be sustained without adequate financing and affordable technology.

He said Pakistan would require around $138 billion by 2035 for low-carbon power generation, along with another $50 billion to replace coal-based energy with solar power.

Shehbaz stressed that expanding electricity grids, developing energy storage systems and ensuring access to affordable technologies were essential to achieving global clean energy targets.

He called for concessional financing and technology transfers to help developing countries meet their climate commitments without adding to their debt burdens.

“Finance must flow at the speed of ambition,” he said, stressing that the 35-by-35 target could only be achieved through stronger international cooperation and adequate financial support.

The prime minister thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for convening the dialogue under Türkiye’s COP31 presidency.

PM meets Iranian president, other world leaders

On the sidelines of COP31, Shehbaz also held a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his delegation to discuss bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional developments.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the discussions also covered matters relating to regional peace and stability.

The prime minister also interacted with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

His other engagements included meetings with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation chief Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Türkiye’s First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

During his interaction with the Palestinian prime minister, Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinian people. Mohammad Mustafa appreciated Pakistan’s support and its efforts to highlight the plight of Palestinians at international forums.

According to the PMO, the meetings also focused on strengthening bilateral ties and highlighting the challenges faced by countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said Shehbaz would use his participation in the summit to highlight Pakistan’s climate priorities, including rapid solarisation, renewable energy expansion, disaster preparedness and early-warning systems.

He is also expected to call for predictable, adequate and accessible climate financing to help developing countries strengthen climate resilience and pursue sustainable development.

A Pakistan Pavilion has also been established at the COP31 venue, where 54 events will be held on various climate-related themes.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz met world leaders on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday, as Pakistan seeks to advance its climate justice agenda and clean energy transition.

According toa PMO statement, the prime minister was welcomed at the conference venue by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Shehbaz also joined other world leaders for a group photograph before exchanging greetings with several dignitaries attending the summit.

Those he met included Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Other dignitaries included Turkish First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and World Bank President Ajay Banga.

The prime minister is scheduled to address the summit on Wednesday under the theme “Clean Energy Transition by 2035: Powering the Future”.

His address is expected to highlight climate justice and the concerns of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

During his visit, Shehbaz is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with President Erdoğan and other world leaders to discuss climate challenges, clean energy cooperation and matters of mutual interest.

The prime minister arrived in Antalya on Tuesday to participate in the COP31 Leaders’ Summit and discuss clean energy transitions with world leaders.

Türkiye is hosting the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31) in the Mediterranean city of Antalya.

Pakistan has also established a pavilion at the summit venue, where 54 themed events are scheduled to showcase the country’s climate priorities and initiatives.

According to the PMO, Pakistan’s previous climate diplomacy played a role in establishing the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27, aimed at supporting countries suffering the adverse effects of climate change.