Solar-Powered Tubewells: Decarbonize Agriculture in Pakistan

Once blessed with abundant freshwater flowing from the mighty Indus River and its tributaries, Pakistan now stands on the brink of a water catastrophe. Its agrarian economy, which employs nearly 38% of the labor force and contributes around 19% to the national GDP, depends almost entirely on irrigation. But today, the country is water-stressed, struggling to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population, intensifying agriculture, and expanding industry.

"Water is the driving force of all nature." - Leonardo da Vinci.

Yet in Pakistan, this life-giving force is rapidly vanishing.

Once blessed with abundant freshwater flowing from the mighty Indus River and its tributaries, Pakistan now stands on the brink of a water catastrophe. Its agrarian economy, which employs nearly 38% of the labor force and contributes around 19% to the national GDP, depends almost entirely on irrigation. But today, the country is water-stressed, struggling to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population, intensifying agriculture, and expanding industry.

Per capita water availability has plummeted from 5,260 cubic meters in 1951 to below 1,000 cubic meters today, crossing the threshold into absolute water scarcity as defined by international standards. This sharp decline stems from a toxic mix of rapid population growth, poor water management, over-reliance on the Indus Basin, and weak governance. Climate change, glacial melt, and unpredictable seasonal flows, regional conflicts further deepen the crisis, threatening not only food security and livelihoods but also the long-term sustainability of the country’s development.

Groundwater depletion is perhaps the most silent yet dangerous dimension of this crisis. In Lahore, water tables are dropping by about 2.54 feet annually, while in coastal Sindh, 75% of groundwater has turned saline, rendering it unusable. Amid this looming disaster, a green solution in the shape of solar-powered tubewells has emerged. With soaring fuel costs and persistent power shortages, farmers are increasingly embracing solar energy to run irrigation systems. These installations promise clean, affordable, and uninterrupted water access, but they also raise a critical question: are they a sustainable lifeline or are they deepening Pakistan’s hidden water crisis?

In a country like Pakistan, where electricity shortages are common and petroleum prices remain high, solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS), particularly solar tubewells, have emerged as a practical solution. Their adoption has been accelerated by government and donor-backed initiatives. For instance, the Punjab government’s program to convert around 8,000 electric and diesel tubewells to solar, offering subsidies ranging from Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 1,000,000. These installations now span Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The approximate cost of a typical solar tubewell system ranges from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 1,200,000, depending on its size and depth. With subsidies and microfinance support, these systems have become increasingly accessible to large and medium-scale farmers, but smallholders still face barriers such as limited credit and technical knowledge. The key advantage of solar tubewells is the elimination of fuel costs after installation. Farmers can irrigate their fields during peak sunlight hours without electricity bills or diesel expenses, saving up to approximately Rs. 15,000 per month in some cases. These systems also reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel pumps, lower air and noise pollution in rural areas, and contribute to Pakistan’s renewable energy goals under the National Climate Change Policy and Alternative Energy Policy 2019.

Solar tubewells have enabled uninterrupted and timely irrigation, enhancing crop yields, particularly for water-intensive crops like sugarcane and rice. They also support increased cropping intensity, allowing farmers to cultivate more land and grow multiple crops annually. In remote regions such as Balochistan, Cholistan, and Tharparkar, solar tubewells have become lifelines for communities lacking grid electricity. For example, the Paani Project has installed solar-powered wells that benefit over 7,500 families in Tharparkar, supporting local livelihoods and food security.

Despite their benefits, solar tubewells raise serious concerns about sustainability due to uncontrolled and excessive groundwater extraction. When pumping becomes virtually cost-free, farmers are more likely to over-irrigate, often ignoring crop water requirements. This leads to inefficient flood irrigation and encourages the cultivation of water-intensive crops in already water-scarce areas. Punjab alone has over 1.2 million tubewells extracting roughly 40–45 million acre-feet of groundwater annually far exceeding natural recharge rates. This results in steadily declining water tables, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

In fact, as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns, “Solar-powered irrigation, if not properly regulated, risks driving the unsustainable extraction of groundwater, undermining long-term food and water security.” This statement captures the paradox at hand. Clean energy is being used in a way that accelerates the depletion of the very resource it is meant to sustain.

In Balochistan, a province already facing acute water stress, the rise in solar tubewell installations has caused groundwater tables to drop by over 3 feet per year in some districts, including Quetta, Pishin, and Nushki. The absence of regulatory oversight has made the situation worse. This presents a troubling paradox and clean energy is being used in ways that dangerously deplete aquifers, some of which could take centuries to naturally recharge.

While solar tubewells have proven beneficial, the main beneficiaries tend to be medium and large landowners who can afford the initial investment or navigate subsidy schemes. Smallholders and tenant farmers often remain excluded due to high capital costs (even after subsidies), lack of technical expertise, and limited access to credit. This widens the rural income inequality. Although the transition to solar reduces pressure on Pakistan’s overburdened power grid, without proper water governance, it may worsen water insecurity, creating an energy-water paradox.

Pakistan currently lacks a comprehensive national groundwater regulatory framework. Although Punjab passed the Punjab Water Act in 2019, enforcement is weak. Other provinces have yet to follow suit. There are no meters or restrictions on how much water a solar tubewell can extract, and aquifer recharge systems are rarely implemented. Moreover, water and energy policy fall under different ministries, including the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Energy (Power Division and Renewable Energy), and various Provincial Irrigation and Agriculture Departments. This results in institutional fragmentation that hampers coordinated planning and oversight.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) recommend integrating solar irrigation with efficient systems such as drip and sprinkler irrigation to minimize water wastage. They also advocate for water metering technologies and training programs for farmers on crop-water budgeting.

The way forward

The government needs to develop a national groundwater regulatory framework that mandates permits and licensing for tubewell installation. It should introduce aquifer-specific extraction limits and create zoning rules for high-risk and recharge areas. Promotion of efficient irrigation methods, such as drip and sprinkler systems, should be made mandatory for new solar installations, with subsidies contingent on their adoption.

It may also be useful to establish Water User Associations (WUAs) to promote self-regulation of groundwater use and encourage collective ownership models for solar systems, fostering shared responsibility. Additional steps such as promoting rainwater harvesting, constructing check dams, and building urban recharge wells are also necessary. Restoring natural wetlands and floodplains to capture seasonal runoff should be prioritized.

Furthermore, introducing solar buy-back schemes which allows farmers to sell surplus solar energy back to the grid could provide further financial incentives to reduce groundwater pumping and promote sustainable water use.

As the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) emphasizes, “The success of solar irrigation depends not only on technology but on policies that align energy use with water conservation. Without that, the risk of overexploitation will outweigh the benefits.” This highlights the urgent need for an integrated approach that views water, energy, and food security as interdependent.

Conclusion

Solar-powered tubewells offer Pakistan a promising opportunity to decarbonize agricultural energy use, reduce rural energy poverty, and enhance farm productivity. By providing clean, cost-effective, and decentralized energy, they address key challenges in energy access and agricultural efficiency.

However, without effective water governance, they risk becoming a silent driver of groundwater depletion, threatening the long-term sustainability of agriculture and rural livelihoods. Excessive groundwater extraction, especially in major agricultural provinces could cause irreversible damage to Pakistan’s aquifers.

Pakistani policymakers must adopt a balanced approach that integrates energy access with water security to ensure the solar revolution does not come at the cost of the country’s most vital resource - its groundwater. Strategic regulation, promotion of efficient irrigation technologies, and institutional coordination are essential to safeguard Pakistan’s water future. The time has come to act immediately for the sake of future generations.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is a former Pakistan Ambassador and Permanent Representative to FAO, WFP and IFAD.

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