Wind energy in Pakistan: progress, gaps, and road maps

  • Sajad Hussain

    Department of Environmental Sciences, Comsats University Islamabad, Vehari 61100, Pakistan
  • Xiaonan Li

    School of Management, University of Sanya, Sanya 572022, China
  • Ismat Ullah Khan orcid

    Department of Chemistry, Government Post Graduate College (GPGC), Lakki Marwat 28420, Pakistan
Article ID: 3827
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/esc3827
Keywords: wind energy, Pakistan, renewable energy, grid integration, policy and regulation

Abstract

Pakistan has a significant supply of wind energy, especially along the south coast; the country has been using the marginal resources, but no large-scale utilization has taken place as compared to its potential. This review is a critical analysis of wind energy development in Pakistan that has synthesized wind resource evaluation, deployment patterns, grid integration issues, and policy frameworks. As a contrast to the previous descriptive research, the article methodologically compares the estimates of the major wind potentials, examines the sources of methodological differences, and evaluates the uncertainties within the current available assessments. Based on peer-reviewed literature, reports on technical reports, and policy documents from 2000 to 2024, the review concludes that overall theoretical wind potential can be estimated at an approximate 50 GW to more than 130 GW, whereas realizable potential faces constraints as a result of grid bottlenecks, financial risk, and institutional fragmentation. Comparison to the chosen emerging wind markets, India, Egypt, and Morocco, provides a context in which Pakistan has performed and lessons which can be transferred in terms of policy and system integration. The paper ends with a synthesized roadmap that highlights grid modernization, policy uniformity, and grid diversity of deployment areas to be able to support wind energy in playing a role in the long-term energy security and decarbonization goals of Pakistan.

Published
2025-07-01
How to Cite
Hussain, S., Li, X., & Khan, I. U. (2025). Wind energy in Pakistan: progress, gaps, and road maps. Energy Storage and Conversion, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.59400/esc3827
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 3 (2025)
Section
Article

Copyright (c) 2025 Sajad Hussain, Xiaonan Li, Ismat Ullah Khan

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

[1]Saulat H, Khan MM, Aslam M, et al. Wind speed pattern data and wind energy potential in Pakistan: Current status, challenging platforms and innovative prospects. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 2021; 28(26): 34051–34073.

[2]Kanwal S, Khan B, Rauf MQ. Infrastructure of sustainable energy development in Pakistan: A review. Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy. 2020; 8(2): 206–218.

[3]Lucas A. Wind, Water, Work: Ancient and Medieval Milling Technology. Brill; 2006.

[4]Nayyar ZA, Nadeem N, Saeed M, et al. Effect of dust events on windfarm performance: A case study of Jhimpir region, Pakistan. Research Square Preprint. 2009; version 1. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2979148/v1

[5]Bhutto JK, Tong Z, Fraz TR, et al. A feasibility analysis of wind energy potential and seasonal forecasting trends in Thatta district: A project to combat the energy crisis in Pakistan. Energies. 2025; 18(1): 158.

[6]Abbas EK, Aqeel AN, Ashraf S, et al. Unlocking the power of nature: A state-of-the-art analysis of optimal wind and solar sites in Pakistan for sustainable power generation. Dialogue Social Science Review (DSSR). 2025; 3(3): 789–810.

[7]Kamran M, Aleem MF, Raza MU. Towards sustainable development goal 7: Pakistan's commitment to accessible and green energy solutions. Engineering Journal. 2025; 29(11): 1–21.

[8]Qadir A, Baig MA, Dar IB. Strategic approaches to managing independent power producers in Pakistan: Addressing capacity charges and advancing sdg-7 through innovation 4.0. Pakistan Journal of Engineering and Technology. 2025; 8(1): 64–72.

[9]Ayaz M. Transforming Pakistan’s energy landscape: Insights from European perspectives and global partnerships. Journal of European Studies (JES). 2025; 41(2): 1–1.

[10]Arain K, Qureshi NA, Suthar V, et al. Comparing forecasting performance of ARFIMA and HAR-RV models for realized variances using meteorological data. Advance Social Science Archive Journal. 2025; 4(01): 3269–3286.

[11]Turi JA, Rosak-Szyrocka J, Mansoor M, et al. Assessing wind energy projects potential in Pakistan: Challenges and way forward. Energies. 2022; 15(23): 9014.

[12]Aslam MA, Abbas MS, Irfan RM, et al. From ammonia to hydrogen: Evolution of ruthenium-based catalysts. ACS Catalysis. 2025; 15(21): 18631–18662.

[13]Yousuf MU, Malik MH, Umair M. 4e analysis of solar photovoltaic, wind, and hybrid power systems in southern Pakistan: Energy, exergy, economic, and environmental perspectives. Science and Technology for Energy Transition. 2024; 79: 94.

[14]Baloch MH, Kaloi GS, Memon ZA. Current scenario of the wind energy in Pakistan challenges and future perspectives: A case study. Energy Reports. 2016; 2: 201–210.

[15]Ali B, Abbas G, Memon A, et al. A comparative study to analyze wind potential of different wind corridors. Energy Reports. 2022; 9: 1157–1170.

[16]Asghar R, Ullah Z, Azeem B, et al. Wind energy potential in Pakistan: A feasibility study in Sindh province. Energies. 2022; 15(22): 8333.

[17]Khahro SF, Tabbassum K, Soomro AM, et al. Techno-economical evaluation of wind energy potential and analysis of power generation from wind at Gharo, Sindh Pakistan. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2014; 35: 460–474.

[18]Soares RB, de J. Pitta A, de Oliveira Costa D, et al. Preliminary design methodology based on numerical optimization of offshore wind turbine on a monopile with application in offshore Brazil. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering; 22–27 June 2025; Vancouver, BC, Canada.

[19]International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewables Readiness Assessment: Pakistan. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA); 2018.

[20]Agha A. Wind power generation in Pakistan: Blessed corridor forsaken? In: Proceedings of the International Conference 2016 on Transforming Economic Development: Policies Applied Economics Research Centre AERC; 22–24 November 2016; Karachi, Pakistan.

[21]Zaidi HJ, D'Herbemont G, März T, et al. Variable Renewable Energy Locational Study. The World Bank; 2024.

[22]Shami SH, Ahmad J, Zafar R, et al. Evaluating wind energy potential in Pakistan's three provinces, with proposal for integration into national power grid. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2016; 53: 408–421.

[23]Mirza IA, Khan NA, Memon N. Development of benchmark wind speed for Gharo and Jhimpir, Pakistan. Renewable Energy. 2010; 35(3): 576–582.

[24]Abbas G, Ali A, Mushtaq Z, et al. Advancing wind energy potential estimation through multidistribution wind speed analysis in coastal Pakistan. Scientific Reports. 2025; 15(1): 18297.

[25]Raza MA, Yousif M, Hassan M, et al. Site suitability for solar and wind energy in developing countries using combination of GIS-AHP: A case study of Pakistan. Renewable Energy. 2023; 206: 180–191.

[26]Lackner MA, Rogers AL, Manwell JF, et al. A new method for improved hub height mean wind speed estimates using short-term hub height data. Renewable Energy. 2010; 35(10): 2340–2347.

[27]Resch G, Held A, Faber T, et al. Potentials and prospects for renewable energies at global scale. Energy Policy. 2008; 36(11): 4048–4056.

[28]Chaudhry QZ. An investigation on wind power potential of Gharo-Sindh, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Meteorology. 2009; 6(11): 5–9.

[29]Vilajuana Llorente S, Rapha JI, Domínguez-García JL. Development and analysis of a global floating wind levelised cost of energy map. Clean Technologies. 2024; 6(3): 1142–1168.

[30]De Castro C, Mediavilla M, Miguel LJ, et al. Global wind power potential: Physical and technological limits. Energy Policy. 2011; 39(10): 6677–6682.

[31]Lopez A, Roberts B, Heimiller D, et al. U.S. Renewable Energy Technical Potentials: A GIS-based analysis. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL); 2012.

[32]Quinn R, Schepers G, Bulder B. A parametric investigation into the effect of low induction rotor (LIR) wind turbines on the levelised cost of electricity for a 1 GW offshore wind farm in a North Sea wind climate. Energy Procedia. 2016; 94: 164–172.

[33]Rantanen J, Ruotsalainen L, Kirkko-Jaakkola M, et al. Height measurement in seamless indoor/outdoor infrastructure-free navigation. IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. 2018; 68(4): 1199–1209.

[34]Das P, Kanudia A, Bhakar R, et al. Intra-regional renewable energy resource variability in long-term energy system planning. Energy. 2022; 245: 123302.

[35]Lilliestam J, Bielicki JM, Patt AG. Comparing carbon capture and storage (CCS) with concentrating solar power (CSP): Potentials, costs, risks, and barriers. Energy Policy. 2012; 47: 447–455.

[36]Otani H, Kaya M, Tamaki A, et al. Effects of solar radiation on endurance exercise capacity in a hot environment. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 2016; 116(4): 769–779.

[37]Vogel E, Saravia G, Kobe S, et al. Onshore versus offshore capacity factor and reliability for wind energy production in Germany: 2010–2022. Energy Science & Engineering. 2024; 12(5): 2198–2208.

[38]Abbasi M, Umer S, Shaikh E. The assessment of global wind power generation at Jhimpir Pakistan—a case study. Sir Syed University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology. 2023; 13(1): 42–47.

[39]Chinram R, Ashraf S, Abdullah S, et al. Decision support technique based on spherical fuzzy Yager aggregation operators and their application in wind power plant locations: A case study of Jhimpir, Pakistan. Journal of Mathematics. 2020; 2020(1): 8824032.

[40]Renewable-Energy-Industry.com. GE renewable energy expands wind power capacity in Pakistan. Available online: https://www.renewable-energy-industry.com/countries/article-5353-ge-renewable-energy-expands-wind-power-capacity-in-pakistan#:~:text=GE%20Renewable%20Energy%20Expands%20Wind%20Power%20Capacity%20in%20Pakistan,-Karachi%2C%20Pakistan%20%2D%20GE&text=The%20project%20is%20installed%20with,and%20construction%20(EPC)%20contractor (accessed on 25 April 2025).

[41]Ijaz A, Qureshi S, Zia UUR, et al. Green hydrogen as a decarbonization pathway for steel industry in Pakistan. Engineering Proceedings. 2025; 111(1): 39.

[42]Laghari A. Gharo-Jhimpir wind corridor profits for wind energy companies, losses for indigenous people. Available online: https://loksujag.com/story/renewable-energy-displacement-eng (accessed on 27 April 2025).

[43]Naeem I, Ijaz A, Zia UuR, et al. Greening Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones: Technical Roadmap and Policy Lessons from China. Sustainable Development Policy Institute(SDPI); 2025. Available online: https://sdpi.org/assets/lib/uploads/Green_SEZs_under_CPEC_Revised%20(1)_compressed%20(1).pdf (accessed on 27 April 2025).

[44]Medina C, Ana CRM, González G. Transmission grids to foster high penetration of large-scale variable renewable energy sources—a review of challenges, problems, and solutions. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research (IJRER). 2022; 12(1): 146–169.

[45]Naqvi SAA, Sheikh SR. Recent trends and future prospects in renewable energy, globally and in Pakistan: A comprehensive review. 2021. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16345.22887

[46]Mehboob A. Analysis of wind energy potential in selected regions in Pakistan [Master’s Thesis]. Near East University; 2023.

[47]Wikipedia. Wind power in Pakistan. Available online: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wind_power_in_Pakistan&oldid=1326385184 (accessed on 10 April 2025).

[48]Soomro SA, Raza MA, Mirjat NH, et al. Unlocking Pakistan's wind energy potential for sustainable energy transition: A comprehensive review. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators. 2025; 29: 101056.

[49]Bukhari SRH, Khan TU, Khan N. The geopolitical dynamics of Pakistan's energy sector: A comprehensive analysis. Journal of Development and Social Sciences. 2024; 5(2): 175–185.

[50]Ur Rehman SA, Cai Y, Siyal ZA, et al. Cleaner and sustainable energy production in Pakistan: Lessons learnt from the Pak-TIMES Model. Energies. 2019; 13(1): 108.

[51]Asif M, Salman MU, Anwar S, et al. Renewable and non-renewable energy resources of Pakistan and their applicability under the current scenario in Pakistan. OPEC Energy Review. 2022; 46(3): 310–339.

[52]Baloch MH, Abro SA, Sarwar Kaloi G, et al. A research on electricity generation from wind corridors of Pakistan (two provinces): A technical proposal for remote zones. Sustainability. 2017; 9(9): 1611.

[53]Rehman WU, Bhatti AR, Awan AB, et al. The penetration of renewable and sustainable energy in Asia: A state-of-the-art review on net-metering. IEEE Access. 2020; 8: 170364–170388.

[54]Pakistan Commission. Policy for Development of Renewable Energy for Power Generation. Government of Pakistan; 2006.

[55]Parish D. Evaluation of the Power Sector Operations in Pakistan. The Operations Evaluation Department, Asian Development Bank; 2006.

[56]Aslam H, Nazir A, Zia U. Pakistan's Way Forward Towards a Green Economy: Perspectives for a Clean Energy Transition. Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI); 2022.

[57]Khan M. Policy Review and Recommendations on the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. UNIDO; 2020.

[58]Singh U, Rizwan M, Malik H, et al. Wind energy scenario, success and initiatives towards renewable energy in India—a review. Energies. 2022; 15(6): 2291.

[59]Ghanem A, Elsobki MS. Wind power development in Egypt: Historical overview, current status, and prospects. Athens Journal of Mediterranean Studies (AJMS). 2024; 11(1): 21–46.

[60]Mirza SS, Lodhi MS. Socio-Economic Impacts of Political Instability: A Case Study of Pakistan. International Islamic University; 2024. Available online: https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=4015850

[61]Naqash MT, Farooq QU. Geothermal and wind energy: sustainable solutions for Pakistan’s energy economics. Science and Technology for Energy Transition. 2024; 79: 17.

[62]Ahmad R, Liu G, Rehman SAU, et al. Pakistan road towards Paris Agreement: potential decarbonization pathways and future emissions reduction by a developing country. Energy. 2025; 314: 134075.

[63]Farish S, Munawar S, Alam N, et al. Wind energy corridor identification for electricity-deficient areas of Pakistan using geospatial technologies. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 2023; 16(9): 500.

[64]Baloch MH, Chauhdary ST, Ishak D, et al. Hybrid energy sources status of Pakistan: An optimal technical proposal to solve the power crises issues. Energy Strategy Reviews. 2019; 24: 132–153.

[65]Ali A. Renewable energy policy in Pakistan: a triangulated approach using PESTLE, Hajer Framework, and MCDA. SSRN Electronic Journal. 2020. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.5677362

[66]Shah HH, Piso G, Mancusi E, et al. Roadmap toward carbon neutrality in Pakistan: Policy challenges and strategic measures. Energy for Sustainable Development. 2025; 89: 101861.

[67]Rizwan N. Exploring Country Platforms to Advance Pakistan’s Energy Transition. Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI); 2025.

[68]Bhutto AW, Bazmi AA, Zahedi G. Greener energy: Issues and challenges for Pakistan—wind power prospective. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2013; 20: 519–538.

[69]Ahmed M, Mirsaeidi S, Koondhar MA, et al. Mitigating uncertainty problems of renewable energy resources through efficient integration of hybrid solar PV/wind systems into power networks. IEEE Access. 2024; 12: 30311–30328.

[70]Hassan M, Afridi MK, Khan MI. An overview of alternative and renewable energy governance, barriers, and opportunities in Pakistan. Energy & Environment. 2018; 29(2): 184–203.

[71]Nazar S, Abbas A. Assessing the role of policy and regulatory frameworks in Pakistan’s energy crisis: Developing an alternative model for sustainable transformation. Journal of Political Stability Archive. 2025; 3(2): 1156–1182.

[72]Nwala KC, Kabeyi MJB, Olanrewaju OA. A visual and strategic framework for integrated renewable energy systems: Bridging technological, economic, environmental, social, and regulatory dimensions. Energies. 2025; 18(20): 5468.

[73]Habib S, Iqbal KMJ, Amir S, et al. Renewable energy potential in Pakistan and barriers to its development for overcoming power crisis. Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government. 2021; 27(2). Available online: https://www.academia.edu/142946839/Renewable_Energy_Potential_in_Pakistan_and_Barriers_to_Its_Development_for_Overcoming_Power_Crisis

[74]Akram H. Curbing the Growing Circular Debt in Pakistan’s Power-Sector. Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI); 2023.

[75]Ghauri SP, Ahmed RR, Streimikiene D, et al. Macroeconomic factors driving exchange rate volatility and economic sustainability: Case study of Pakistan. Amfiteatru Economic. 2024; 26(66): 612–628.

[76]Malik FH, Khan MW, Rahman TU, et al. A comprehensive review on voltage stability in wind-integrated power systems. Energies. 2024; 17(3): 644.

[77]Nazir L, Sharifi A. An analysis of barriers to the implementation of smart grid technology in Pakistan. Renewable Energy. 2024; 220: 119661.

[78]Salman UT, Shafiq S, Al-Ismail FS, et al. A review of improvements in power system flexibility: Implementation, operation and economics. Electronics. 2022; 11(4): 581.

[79]Afridi SK, Koondhar MA, Jamali MI, et al. Winds of progress: an in-depth exploration of offshore, floating, and onshore wind turbines as cornerstones for sustainable energy generation and environmental stewardship. IEEE Access. 2024; 12: 66147–66166.

[80]Ahmad S, Abdullah M, Kanwal A, et al. Offshore wind resource assessment using reanalysis data. Wind Engineering. 2022; 46(4): 1173–1186.

[81]Rauf Q, Yanpin L, Ashraf A. Integrating renewables: insights from global pumped hydro storage case studies. In: Proceedings of the 2025 9th International Conference on Green Energy and Applications (ICGEA); 7–9 March 2025; Singapore. pp. 1–10.

[82]Ahmad B, Ali S, Muneer M, et al. Wind energy integration into the SAARC region: A comprehensive review of optimal wind sites for a sustainable super smart grid. Dialogue Social Science Review (DSSR). 2025; 3(2): 488–515.