Low-cost solar project to be set up in Punjab

LAHORE: The Punjab government has signed an agreement for the generation of the low-cost solar power under which private investors will set up a solar power plant in the province.

The 100 MW solar power plant will be set up in Layyah district with a tariff of only 3.7 cents. A signing ceremony of the agreement between the provincial government and Punjab Power Development Board, Alternative Energy Development Board, and Zhenfa Pakistan New Energy Company was held on Thursday which was attended by Punjab Chief Minister, Sardar Usman Bazdar, and Federal Minister for Energy, Omar Ayub Khan as the chief guests.

In this regard, Usman Buzdar said that Punjab has higher energy requirements than other provinces due to its population and developing economy.

According to Buzdar, the Punjab government is trying to get all the energy needs from its own resources under the Constitution of Pakistan. About 70 percent of the country’s electricity generation is used in Punjab, he maintained.

Punjab pays 82 percent of the total revenue of the country from electricity, CM Punjab added. The chief minister said that schools, colleges, universities, primary health centers, and other government buildings will be shifted to solar power in phases.