Energy expert Jamil Masud told the Thomson Reuters Foundation earlier this month that Pakistan as one of the world’s best countries for producing energy from the sun.

Potential solar projects in Pakistan can now get free information as part of the Global Solar Atlas maps programme (developed by the Ministry of Water and Power Government of Pakistan and the World Bank), which shows that the south-western province of Balochistan has massive solar-energy generating potential due to its arid climate and latitude.

Mr Masud said: “Pakistan’s solar-energy potential is huge, and its government is waking up to this. With photovoltaic-panel prices falling drastically in the last four years, the switch-over to renewables will happen — gradually.”

Pakistan is said to be experiencing an energy crisis, with a national shortfall of more than 6,000MW leading to long power outages across the country.

However, Amjad Awan, CEO of its Alternative Energy Development Board, said that the country has several major solar-power projects — totalling more than 4,400MW — in development.

He said: “It is hoped that the maps developed by the AEDB and the World Bank can accelerate the process by making it easier for solar projects to secure funding.

“This is credible data, according to which banks can give funding to potential projects. The government can now do the appropriate zoning and develop solar- and wind-power areas.”