Solar-powered tube wells to experimented with

Kasur becomes first area of the country to have solar tube well pumps installed.

MULTAN: Kasur has become the first  area of the country to have solar tube well pumps installed as part of a drive to save energy and resolve the power crisis.

The initiative has been taken by a Chinese company Shanzi Zun Tong – which has worked on solar energy projects in several countries around the world – in collaboration with the Zarai Taraqiati Bank. This step has initially been taken for 25 villages in Kasur, Punjab to monitor interest and feedback from farmers.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Chairman Zaka Ashraf said, “We have been financing farmers who are interested in opting for this system to save energy.” He said that President Asif Ali Zardari has shown interest in introducing new methods of saving energy and boosting the industrial sector.

Zardari has given special instructions for resolution of farmers’ problems, which has been a priority for the government, due to the importance of the agricultural sector in the economy.

Ashraf underlined that farmers had been visiting to analyse benefits of the project and expressed hope it would be successful. He added that solar sprinkling systems had been installed to save energy.

He further disclosed plans of initiating projects of wind energy to resolve the crisis, while encouraging farmers and companies to invest in such projects in collaboration with the bank.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2011.