SDPI Proposes National Roadmap for Battery Storage in Pakistan

Pakistan could use battery energy storage systems (BESS) to address several challenges facing its electricity grid, according to a new study by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). SDPI, in collaboration with the Network for Clean Energy Transition (NCET), has presented a national roadmap for the deployment of grid-scale battery storage systems in Pakistan. The study focuses on identifying suitable locations where large battery systems can provide the greatest benefits to the power network.

SDPI Proposes National Roadmap for Battery Storage in Pakistan

The report, titled “Optimal Siting of Grid-Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Pakistan,” examines how battery storage can improve grid flexibility and support the country’s shift towards cleaner energy.

Battery storage could support renewable energy

Experts, regulators and researchers discussed the potential role of BESS in Pakistan’s power sector during the launch of the study.

Battery storage can help integrate variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into the national grid. It can also reduce renewable energy curtailment, ease transmission congestion, and help manage power supply when the grid faces limitations.

Dr Kashif Imran, a professor at the US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy at NUST, said the study provides useful information about where battery storage systems could be installed.

However, he pointed out that there is still uncertainty across the power sector about how and where BESS should be deployed. He suggested a three-tier approach that could provide greater clarity for investors and other stakeholders.

Dr Imran also highlighted the importance of better data and analytics for planning battery storage projects. He noted that BESS can help reduce transmission losses and manage voltage fluctuations, but storage systems are not available continuously. Their applications therefore need to match specific requirements of the electricity grid.

Study identifies potential locations

Muhammad Umer, a research associate at SDPI, said Pakistan’s power sector continues to experience Energy Not Served (ENS) losses of around 2.77 GWh.

The study aims to address these challenges through a data-driven approach to selecting locations for battery storage systems. It also looks at reducing transmission congestion and renewable energy curtailment.

Researchers conducted an initial screening of the National Grid Company’s 500kV and 220kV grid stations. They used a ranking-based method to compare potential locations according to technical and geographical factors.

The study identified locations including Shikarpur, Faisalabad, Dadu and Rawat as candidates for further consideration for grid-scale BESS deployment.

Call for changes in energy planning

The researchers also proposed several policy and planning measures to support battery storage in Pakistan.

They recommended making BESS modelling part of the Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP). They also called for integrating battery storage into Transmission System Expansion Planning (TSEP) cycles.

The study further recommended bottom-up electricity forecasting and the development of a national BESS deployment roadmap.

According to the researchers, a clear policy and regulatory framework could also help attract investment in battery storage. The study aims to support the development of a business case for BESS projects, including potential investment opportunities linked to CPEC 2.0.

With Pakistan expanding renewable energy capacity, battery storage could become an important part of future power-sector planning. The SDPI roadmap provides a framework for identifying where large-scale storage could help improve the reliability and flexibility of the national electricity grid.