ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has announced plans to deploy solar energy at Gwadar Port to meet its year-round power requirements, improve efficiency, and support industrial and water infrastructure, officials said Wednesday. The initiative is expected to reduce reliance on external electricity and ensure uninterrupted operations across the strategic port.
Built over a decade ago, Gwadar Port has yet to reach its full potential, prompting the federal government to accelerate efforts for its maximum utilisation. Earlier this month, the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) signed an agreement with a Chinese company to increase investments, aiming to develop the port as a “regional transshipment hub.” During a meeting focused on enhancing port operations, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry announced that a sub-committee has been formed to implement solar-based solutions. This includes installing photovoltaic systems, battery storage for water facilities, and designing solar power distribution networks for critical infrastructure.
The micro solar grids are planned to supply power to water pumps, the 1.2 million gallons per day desalination plant, and eventually the Gwadar Free Zone and Gwadar International Airport. The sub-committee will comprise officials from the Ministry of Energy, Maritime Affairs, Federal Board of Revenue, Gwadar Port Authority, Gwadar Development Authority, Quetta Electric Supply Company, and the Prime Minister’s office.
Chaudhry emphasized that solar energy is not only a cost-saving measure but also essential for protecting Gwadar’s fishing industry, supporting local livelihoods, and enhancing the city’s export potential. Officials present at the meeting included GPA Chairman Noorul Haque Baloch, COPHCL Chairman My Yu Bo, Additional Secretary Maritime Ministry Umer Zaffer Shaikh, and Technical Advisor Jawad Akhtar.
The initiative complements previous government plans, including the July announcement to expand Gwadar Port’s operational capacity with additional shipping lines and a ferry service linking Pakistan with Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Earlier this year, the government also sought private sector support to increase cargo throughput through Gwadar.
