Sindh CM announces free electricity to users of up to 100 units

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced plans to provide free electricity to users consuming up to 100 units and to provide solar power systems to off-grid households.

Speaking at a meeting at the Chief Minister's House in Karachi on Friday, Shah discussed various proposals with Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Adviser Ahsan Mazari, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, and Energy Secretary Musaddiq Khan.

Energy Minister Nasir Shah briefed that approximately 80,000 households consuming 50 megawatts monthly include 441,483 under K-Electric, 229,338 in HESCO, and 125,500 in SEPCO’s jurisdiction. 

Additionally, 1.9 million households consuming 100 megawatts monthly comprise 1,054,000 in Karachi (KE), 566,427 in Hyderabad region (HESCO), and 356,073 in Sukkur region (SEPCO).

It was highlighted that 2.6 million off-grid households could receive solar home systems (SHS), with an initial phase covering 500,000 households. 

Each SHS, costing approximately 50,000 rupees, includes three LED bulbs, a 35-watt DC fan, and mobile charging ports with a six-hour battery backup.

Shah proposed establishing six micro-grids, each 75 kilowatts, as pilot projects across six divisions, catering to clusters of 100 households. The grids would provide power to homes consuming 100 kilowatts.

He also suggested setting up three solar parks of 305 megawatts each to supply K-Electric, HESCO, and SEPCO, benefiting both on-grid and off-grid households.

Murad Ali Shah directed the Energy Minister to prepare proposals for solar parks and solar home systems for further discussion and approval.