Two mega solarization projects launched

PESHAWAR: The KP government has initiated two projects worth around Rs55 billion for solarization of all public buildings and provision of solar units to low income households to overcome the electricity crisis.

Memorandum of understandings (MoUs) were signed between Bank of Khyber (BOK)  and Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) for the implementation of the projects at a ceremony held with Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur as chief guest.

Under one of the projects, all public buildings including hospitals, universities, colleges, schools, police stations, prisons, tubewells, streetlights and other government offices across the province will be solarized.

Initially, 13,000 public buildings have been identified for conversion to solar energy and their solarization will be carried out at an overall estimated cost of Rs15 billion.

Moreover, under solarization of houses project, a total of 130,000 households having low income will be provided with solar units. Out of total, 65,000 households will be provided solar units free of cost whereas as the remaining 65,000 will get solar units at 50 per cent contribution by the government and 50 per cent by the beneficiaries. Under the project, about 100,000 houses in settled districts and 30,000 houses in merged districts will be converted to solar energy.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the incumbent government was making huge investment in energy sector aimed at ensuring availability of load shedding free electricity to citizens alongside enhancing the revenue for the province.

“This year’s budget has been named as Green Budget, newly initiated solarization schemes are of national importance, and their implementation would reduce the burden on the national grid as well,” he added.