WASA to switch to solar power

In a bid to do away with exorbitant electricity bills, the Punjab Planning and Development Department has decided to shift the Water and Sanitation Agency’s (WASA) building and its water filtration plant on the Rawal Dam to solar energy.

During a meeting of the Punjab Planning and Development Department, authorities concerned agreed to install two solar energy plants at the above-mentioned locations. Sources privy to the development said the projects would cost Rs150 million under the Saving Energy Programme and would relieve WASA of paying bills worth millions of rupees per month to the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

The meeting was informed that 245 KVs of power is required for WASA's filtration plant at the Rawal Dam while its building requires 45KVs of power, which can be met by two solar energy plants.

According to sources, the Punjab Energy Department has been entrusted with the task of installing the solar energy plants for the WASA building and the filtration plant. They further said formal bids will be sought, according to which two solar energy plants will be installed at the mentioned places.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2023.