Pakistan’s first Solar Park on its way

Punjab Minister for Mineral Development and Energy Sher Ali will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese company on July 25 to establish Pakistan’s first Solar Park near Lahore on 5,000 acres of land.

The move will help reduce the shortfall of energy upon its completion.

He was speaking to the participants at inauguration ceremony of Pakistan’s first Solar Panel Assembly Plant organised by TESLA Industries.

TESLA PV Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Aamir Hussain, Head of Alternative Energy Development Board of Pakistan Dr Basharat Hassan, Islamabad Chamber Ex-President Zafar Bakhtawar, renowned Architect Khalid Abdul Rehman, Rana Adeel, TESLA PV GM Mubarak Hussain and others were also present on the occasion.

The minister appreciated the efforts of TESLA PV to make the country self sufficient in manufacturing solar panels and said the government would extend full support to the investors in solar energy sector. “All developed nations have advanced in getting electricity from sun and they were making progress through this natural source of energy,” he added.

He said that the government was eager to adopt every possible source of energy to combat the present energy crises in the country. “Some 43 wind energy projects were under construction in Punjab aimed at reducing the energy crises,” he informed. He also encouraged the investors to come forward and invest in the energy sector where they would be given full cooperation from the government.

TESLA PV CEO said that solar panel manufacturing plant had a capacity of 4 MW per year and would be increased to 10 MW in the year 2014. “Local manufacturing of these panels will not only make tem affordable but will also help solar users to buy A grade quality Mono and Poly panels. It will also help reduce the foreign exchange being spent in import of these panels from other countries,” he added. Moreover, he said that the company will be producing 100, 150, 200, 250 watt Mono and Poly Solar panels which will be available country wide from Monday.

He further stated that the shortfall of electricity in Pakistan was playing havoc with the economy and disturbing social life. He explained that the solar energy system can help combat many deficiencies and steer the country towards the path of progress.

Highlighting its benefits he said, “With one time investment, our industrial units can get rid of load shedding and billing of electricity for ever, rather they can sell the surplus electricity to WAPDA by installing import, export electricity meters.”