Govt removes custom duties on solar power imports

Decision will enable foreign investment in the alternative energy sector.

ISLAMABAD: In order to promote the use of alternate energy sources, the federal government has removed custom duties on the imports of solar power plants and its accessories.

According to Roznama Express, the importers can bring in the power plants after presenting a clearance certificate from the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB).

Earlier, the Punjab government allocated 5,000 acres of land in Cholistan for a solar energy project. Around 1,000 acres had already been given to two companies from Germany and the United States for their solar power projects.

The German renewable energy company, CAE, plans to invest more than Rs12.9 billion in setting up the first solar panel manufacturing facility in Pakistan, and the second of its kind in Asia.

The CAE is owned by four partners, one of whom is Pakistani national Shahzada Khurram. The other three are Renier Kertess (German), Anton Josef Hotz (Swiss), and Luigi Tassell (Italian).