Navigating Pakistan’s Path to Clean Energy: A Critical Evaluation of SDG 7 Progress Toward 2030

This chapter provides a critical evaluation of Pakistan’s progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7—ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. It analyzes the evolution of Pakistan’s energy sector, which is characterized by historical challenges including heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, recurring power shortages, and a substantial circular debt. Despite these obstacles, the chapter highlights the country’s significant, yet underexploited, renewable energy potential from solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass. It examines the national policy frameworks, such as the Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019 and the National Energy Policy 2021–2030, which set ambitious targets for renewable energy integration. The analysis also covers key barriers, including fragmented institutional governance, financial constraints, and grid integration issues. Furthermore, the chapter explores the critical role of international partnerships and financing, the socio-economic implications of the energy transition for equity and access, and the intersection with climate resilience. The chapter concludes that while Pakistan has made notable strides, particularly in solar energy adoption, achieving SDG 7 by 2030 requires enhanced political will, robust policy implementation, significant investment, and a steadfast commitment to an inclusive and sustainable energy future.