CM Maryam launches free solar panel scheme

100k households consuming up to 200 units per month to benefit from scheme

LAHORE:

Inaugurating the CM Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme for 100,000 powers consumers in the province, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that the aim of the initiative is to provide permanent relief to people from expensive electricity.

The consumers can apply under the scheme through SMS or online portal.

The chief minister said on the occasion that 7.3 million electricity consumers in Punjab had earlier benefited from a subsidy of Rs14 per unit in their bills.

She said public resources would be spent only for public convenience and relief.

The provincial energy secretary informed the chief minister that 100,000 solar systems would be installed under the scheme during one year.

"Solar systems will be given free of charge to the electricity consumers of the province who consume up to 200 units per month," he said.

Under the scheme, 52,019 consumers of up to 100 units per month will be given free 550-watt solar systems, while consumers of up to 200 units of electricity per month will be given free 1,100-watt solar systems.

Verification of the applicants will be done using the reference number and computerised national identity card (CNIC) number mentioned on the monthly bill of the consumers.

Computerised balloting will be conducted to ensure transparency in the scheme and a helpline will be established to support the consumers who will get free solar systems.

The chief minister was informed during a briefing the the solar panels and inverters distributed under the schemes would be linked to the CNIC of the consumers to avoid theft of the equipment.

Officials said the installation of 100,000 solar systems in Punjab would reduce annual carbon emissions by 57,000 tonnes.

They underscored that the free solar panel scheme would also reduce the burden of subsidy on the federal government.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz congratulated Rana Tahir Iqbal on winning a by-election in Punjab Assembly constituency PP-139. She expressed gratitude to the people of Sheikhupura for reposing trust in PML-N.