At a time when many governments are encouraging the use of clean and renewable energy, Pakistan has imposed a 32.5% tax on imported solar panels. Government officials say the tax is intended to encourage local manufacture of the panels, but the Alternative Energy Development Board says the levy is hampering its efforts to encourage the use of off-grid systems. Pakistan’s electricity infrastructure is unable to meet demand and the country suffers serious power shortages. In rural areas blackouts of over 11 hours a day are the norm, while in cities power cuts of up to eight hours a day are usual.
