Pakistan's Solar Boom Strains Urban Middle Class

Pakistan's recent surge in solar power adoption, driven by sharp increases in electricity tariffs following an IMF-backed bailout, has benefited affluent households while leaving much of the urban middle class behind. Solar energy now accounts for over 14% of the nation's power supply, making it the third-largest energy source and one of the highest solar shares in Asia. However, the high upfront costs of solar installations have excluded many middle-class families, who face mounting electricity bills and are forced to reduce consumption. Most solar setups are not connected to the grid, preventing excess capacity from being shared and limiting broader access to affordable energy. The departure of wealthy solar users from the national grid has led utility companies to raise prices further on remaining customers, exacerbating financial pressures on those unable to afford solar. Experts note that without policy changes to make solar more accessible and integrated, the divide between energy haves and have-nots in Pakistan is likely to grow.