Mosques, churches in ex-FATA solarized

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) has solarized 895 mosques and five churches in the newly merged districts as part of its efforts to promote environment-friendly and clean energy production in the province.

This was claimed by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan while chairing a meeting on Tuesday. So far, more than 7,400 schools, 5,672 mosques, 134 Basic Health Units (BHU) and 6,643 households in 100 villages across the province have been solarized under the annual development program (ADP) at a cost of Rs9.134 billion.

By the same token, seven hydel power projects (HPPs) have also been completed, which is currently contributing 161 MW to the national grid and has generated Rs31.026 billion in revenue so far.

While chairing a progress review meeting of the energy & power department, chief minister reiterated that his government is contributing significantly to meet the country’s energy demands, adding that it is the only province which is producing clean energy at the cheapest possible rates thereby contributing crucially to national development.

The meeting was briefed in detail regarding the ongoing and completed projects of the department in the hydel and solar energy sectors. It was revealed that Reshun, Shishi, Machai, Ranolia and 36.6 MW Daral Khwar Hydel Projects have been completed during the current and previous tenures of the PTI-led provincial government, whereas the 10.2 MW Jabori Hydel Project in district Mansehra will be ready for inauguration this month.

Furthermore, construction work on 11.8 MW Karora, 40.8 Koto, 84 MW Matiltan and 69 MW Lawi hydel power project is also underway, which is expected to be completed by the end of the ongoing fiscal year. Likewise, construction of 10.5 MW Chapri Charkhel and 6.5 MW Barandu Hydel Power Projects is also underway and, once completed, the ongoing projects are expected to generate Rs9.015 billion in revenue annually.

The chief minister clarified that significant resources have been invested by the provincial government in the clean and green energy sector in order to meet the country’s energy demands, promote industrialization and generate revenue.

Regarding the ongoing hydel projects funded by donor organizations, the meeting was informed that work on three projects, 300 MW Balakot, 88 MW Gabral Kalam and 157 MW Madyan Hydel projects is underway, to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs210.3 billion and is expected to generate Rs28.66 billion in revenue every year.

As for the public private partnership and PSDP Plus projects, the chair was informed that initial work on 470 MW Spat Gah HPP in Kohistan, 96 MW Batakundi HPP and 188 MW Naran dam has been initiated, whereas 22 MW Patrak Shringal, 47 MW Barikot Patrak and 495 MW Kari Maskur projects have been proposed for PSDP 2022-23.

With regards to the solar power projects, 9 different solar projects have been completed having a cumulative capacity of 26 MW