The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced a comprehensive plan to equip all public sector buildings, such as hospitals, schools, universities, police stations, and other government offices, with solar power. This initiative aims to ensure consistent electricity supply and help cut down on energy expenses. The project will also cover tube wells and street lighting in the region.
In a recent meeting led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, officials, including Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam, discussed the ongoing progress of this solarization project. It was shared that data collection for energy needs across 13,000 government units is currently underway. Preliminary estimates show that a 73-megawatt solar power system will be necessary to cover the energy demand for these buildings.
The project is estimated to cost Rs10 billion and is projected to generate around 92 million units of solar power annually, which could help the government save about Rs2 billion each year in electricity costs.
Additionally, Chief Minister Gandapur emphasized the need for quick action to implement this project and directed that the solarization of 7,000 mosques and 3,000 religious seminaries be prioritized within the province.