Pakistan Plans 100 MW Solar Project To Counter Outages

Pakistan Plans 100 MW Solar Project To Counter Outages

To address the pressing power shortages in the country, particularly in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, the Pakistan government has announced plans to establish new solar power plants. These efforts are significant given the severe electricity crisis affecting the region. The government has outlined a 100 MW solar project to alleviate the situation.

The initial phase includes the installation of three solar plants with capacities of 50 MW, 30 MW, and 20 MW, strategically located near existing power stations in GB. Preliminary estimates place the total cost of the project at approximately Rs 26 billion.

Collaboration with Chinese Firms

The initiative is set to move forward with active collaboration from Chinese companies, which are expected to provide investment and expertise. A feasibility study will be conducted to identify the most suitable locations for the solar plants across three proposed sites in GB. However, the entity responsible for conducting this study is yet to be finalized. According to an official source, options include assigning the task to a Chinese company or delegating it to the GB government.

High-Level Meeting Discusses the Project

In an official statement, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, highlighted the urgency of the project during a high-level meeting convened at the Prime Minister’s directive. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary of GB and senior officials from the Ministries of Planning and Energy.

Ahsan Iqbal described the ongoing electricity crisis in GB as “criminal negligence,” underscoring the devastating impact of 18-hour power outages on the local population and the deterrent effect on investment opportunities. During his recent visit to China, the minister engaged with Chinese companies, inviting them to invest in the solar energy sector in GB.

Transparent Bidding and Timely Implementation

The minister directed the relevant authorities to prioritize support for Chinese solar companies, ensure a transparent bidding process, and develop a comprehensive implementation timeline. He emphasized the viability of solar energy as an off-grid solution for GB and instructed that the project be included in the PC-1 document. Additionally, he called for a well-structured strategy to accelerate the completion of ongoing energy projects under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).