K-P govt launches solarisation project to tackle electricity crisis

Solarisation plan will provide energy solutions for 130,000 homes in K-P

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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has launched a flagship solarisation project to tackle the ongoing electricity crisis in the province.

The initiative aims to transition both government buildings and underprivileged households to solar energy, with an estimated investment of 55 billion rupees, Express News reported.

Two separate memoranda of understanding (MOUs) have been signed for the projects between the Bank of Khyber and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (KPEDO).

The signing ceremony, which took place on November 9, 2024, was attended by Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, who was the guest of honour.

Under the solarisation plan, all government buildings in the province—including hospitals, universities, colleges, police stations, jails, tube wells, and offices—will be equipped with solar power systems.

The estimated cost for solarising government buildings is Rs20 billion, with an initial focus on 13,000 buildings, at an estimated cost of Rs15 billion.

In addition to government buildings, the solarisation programme will also provide solar systems to 130,000 low-income households. The total cost for this initiative is approximately Rs35 billion.

The solar systems will be provided to families in both settled and merged districts, with 65,000 families receiving free systems, while the remaining 65,000 will receive systems at a 50% discount.

Chief Minister Gandapur emphasised that the solar system provision would help reduce the heavy electricity bills on citizens. He also stated that areas with frequent load shedding would be prioritised. The solarisation of government buildings, he added, would lead to significant savings in electricity costs.

The Chief Minister highlighted that this initiative is part of the province's "Green Budget" for the current year, and the government aims to increase solar energy usage significantly.

The solar power project, Gandapur noted, would not only benefit K-P but also ease the pressure on the national grid by reducing electricity demand.