Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations Jenny Chase - Will Cheap Solar Kill The Grid?
Jul 27, 2025
Join Jenny Chase, a seasoned solar market analyst at BloombergNEF, and Royce Kurmelovs, an Australian climate journalist. They discuss Pakistan's rapid solar energy growth despite limited government support, raising vital questions about grid reliability and energy pricing. Royce shares insights on a pivotal Australian court ruling concerning Torres Strait Islanders' fight against climate change, emphasizing the clash between environmental responsibility and legal limitations. Both guests explore the broader implications of these issues on global energy dynamics and indigenous rights.
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Pakistan's Solar Surge Mystery
- Pakistan has rapidly adopted solar energy without government support or knowledge.
- This growth caused a mystery resolved using satellite data revealing widespread unreported solar installs.
Price-Driven Solar Adoption
- Pakistan's solar adoption is mostly price-driven rather than blackout-driven.
- Rising fossil fuel prices and fixed coal contracts are causing a utility death spiral problem.
Entrepreneurship Drives Solar Growth
- Pakistan's solar boom is unprecedented in scale and speed for a lower-middle income country.
- Its entrepreneurial culture enables solving energy problems without government involvement.
