Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday declared that promoting clean, affordable, and sustainable energy through solar power is a key component of the national energy policy. He made the remarks while chairing a meeting in Islamabad focused on the 100 MW solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan.
Federal Gift for Gilgit-Baltistan
Shehbaz Sharif described the 100 MW solar project as a gift from the federal government to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He directed the Power Division to ensure timely completion of the project and instructed that complete transparency be maintained in the procurement process. The prime minister also mandated that all payments be made only after third-party validation.
Project Progress and Details
The meeting was briefed on the progress of the Gilgit-Baltistan solar power project. Officials informed that 18 MW of rooftop solar systems, including battery storage, will be installed on 499 government buildings by December this year. Additionally, the PC-I for the 82 MW utility-scale solar project has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval. The project is expected to benefit approximately 1.3 million people.
Context of Energy Policy
The prime minister's emphasis on solar energy aligns with broader national efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Gilgit-Baltistan project is part of a larger strategy to expand renewable energy capacity across the country.
