Governor urges people to use renewable energy sources

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali on Saturday urged the people to opt for renewable sources of energy, especially solar, in their homes, saying these provided uninterrupted and inexpensive electricity and would help in reducing the burden of inflation on masses.

He made these remarks while presiding over a review meeting on solar energy projects at the Governor House.

The meeting was attended by provincial ministers including Adnan Jalil and Fazal Elahi, Secretary Energy and Power, Nisar Muhammad, Chief Executive Officer Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO), Engr Muhammad Naeem and other relevant officials.

The energy secretary told the participants that 55MW solar energy projects were underway in the province, which would save about Rs2 billion per year.

More than 1,000 government schools and 3,000 mosques in all the tribal districts are being transferred to solar energy while 1.5MW solar grids were being installed, he added.

Similarly, the secretary briefed the meeting that a plan was being worked out to provide solar energy to 102 streets in Peshawar.

The governor expressed the hope that the issue of energy in the province would be resolved with the promotion of solar energy.

He vowed to complete all the energy projects at the earliest and directed the authorities concerned to spread awareness about energy conservation.

Earlier this month, The coalition government has decided to approach President Arif Alvi to impress upon Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governments, to implement the national energy conservation plan approved by the federal cabinet last month.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2023.