Chinese company Jinko Solar has expressed interest in establishing a solar industrial park on about 20 acres of land in the Gwadar North Free Zone, as solarisation efforts gain momentum in the port city. Jinko Solar, which pioneered vertically integrated production from silicon wafers and cells to module manufacturing, has discussed plans with the Gwadar Free Zone administration to produce affordable solar panels for residential and commercial use, Gwadar Pro reported.

The company also intends to develop a 2 GW battery plant with an estimated power load of 20 MW. “Chinese solar brands are increasingly popular in Gwadar because they offer better value for money compared with other foreign brands,” said Muhammad Baloch, a trader of solar panels at Dashti Market, the city’s main hub for electronics and solar equipment. “The region has long faced energy shortages, but now there is an adequate supply of high-quality solar panels and batteries in the local market, so sales growth is inevitable,” he added.

An official from the Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the sale of China-made solar panels and systems is surging as more residential and commercial buildings adopt solar power. The Pakistani government also plans to partner with Chinese firms to produce solar panels locally, a move expected to support the country’s clean energy transition and reduce its $27 billion annual import bill.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China