Govt depts turn to solar energy to cut costs

RAWALPINDI:

The escalating costs of electricity have prompted public sector entities to transition towards solar energy as the Punjab government has decided to power nearly two dozen departments, including the Adiala Central Jail, with solar power.

A meeting presided over by Planning and Development (P&D) Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed Sehu endorsed these measures. Representatives from the PND board, Ministry of Housing, energy sector, WASA, and various departments were in attendance.

Several participants joined the session via video link from their respective cities.

The deliberations yielded a consensus on employing alternative energy sources to achieve savings of 60 to 70% on power bills.

The adoption of solar energy is targeted for the Wasa setups in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan.

These installations will leverage available open spaces or the rooftops of existing structures. Notably, Rawalpindi's Wasa plans to implement a 250 KV solar power system at the Rawal filtration plant at an estimated cost of Rs60 million.

Additionally, the establishment of a 2 MW solar plant at Adiala Central Jail is expected to cost Rs500 million.

The heads of various organisations have been instructed to finalise their proposals and submit them to the PND. This move is anticipated to relieve these entities of the burden of high electricity bills. Addressing the participants, the PND chairman emphasised that these organisations are grappling with substantial energy expenditures.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2023.