Pakistan

Solution: Solar energy to power rural areas

Telenor, Tameer Bank, Roshan Energy team up for energy project.

Our Correspondent February 17, 2015

The consumers have been offered three kinds of solar energy systems: basic for Rs27,500, deluxe for Rs38,500 and enhanced for Rs49,500. STOCK IMAGE

KARACHI: As Pakistan continues to suffer from its crippling energy shortage, Telenor Pakistan, Tameer Microfinance Bank and Roshan Energy have partnered to rollout their solar-powered home solution for the low-income segment, which is off the national grid, it was revealed on Tuesday.

“This initiative will empower nearly 40% of Pakistanis who live off the grid with access to clean and affordable solar energy,” Omar Moeen Malik, Head of Strategy EasyPaisa said during a media roundtable at the company’s Karachi office.

According to Malik, a large number of the country’s rural population lacks access to electricity and depends on expensive, inefficient fuel-based sources. “The Solar Home Solution will provide a sustainable, affordable and long-lasting electricity solution,” he added.

Developed on pay-as-you-go model, the product enables customers to purchase solar solutions with an upfront payment of 15%, whereas the remaining payments can be paid within 18 months through Easypaisa, according to the statement. This model allows users to top-up their Solar Home Solution from any of the 55,000 Easypaisa shops across the country or directly through their Easypaisa Mobile Accounts, it said.

The consumers have been offered three kinds of solar energy systems: basic for Rs27,500, deluxe for Rs38,500 and enhanced for Rs49,500.

The basic solar panel has the capacity of 30 Watts and comes with two LED lights and a mobile charger with backup of eight hours and four hours respectively. The deluxe’s capacity is 60 Watts and adds a fan to the basic package with a backup of 12 hours. The enhanced package has 100 Watts capacity and adds two fans to the basic package with 12 hours of backup for each.

Once all instalments are paid through top-ups, the ownership of the Solar Kit is transferred over to the customer, the press release said. A pilot project for the Solar Home Solution has been rolled out in Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Tharparker and Rahim Yar Khan so far and running successfully.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2015.

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COMMENTS (1)

Woz Ahmed | 9 years ago | Reply Step in the right direction, no idea how this compares with Indian or Chinese system, in price. Utility size solar parks have now reached grid parity, that is can supply energy for the same price as coal or gas, not a complete solution but definetly an addition that will accelerate our growth. Finally wind is cheaper than solar at the moment, obviously needs the right location. All these systems need capital investment up front, but once we stop thinking short term , will power us into the future (pun intended)

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