An international consortium and the Punjab Government signed a Memorandum of Understandings for cooperation in the solar energy field on Wednesday.
Four countries, including Germany and Switzerland, have agreed to promote the use of solar energy in the province through the transfer of technology as well as investment in solar energy generation projects.
The Punjab Government spokesman said that the international companies will install solar lamps along roads in the city as well as the Motorway and various industrial zones.
Under the agreement, the international consortium will set up a plant of assembling and manufacturing of solar panels, solar cells and batteries in Faisalabad. The consortium will also consider the project of setting up 400 solar power projects each near industrial zones in Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala and Lahore while a 150-megawatt power plant will be set up along the motorway from Pindi Bhattian to Faisalabad.
The consortium will also introduce solar pumps for agriculture sector in Punjab besides street lights in big cities of the province as well as those installed at Ring Road will be gradually converted to solar power. The consortium will also consider introduction and implementation of zero energy building system for large buildings besides evolving a project of supply of off-grid energy to industrial zones.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the signing of the agreement between Punjab government and international consortium and said that measures would be taken for the early implementation of the agreement in a transparent manner. He said that Punjab government will provide all out facilities to the international consortium. He said that nothing could be more important than solution of energy crisis, therefore Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive programme of encouragement of foreign investors. Group Chairman of the consortium said that his group is interested in making heavy investment in solar energy sector in Pakistan especially Punjab and the agreement will promote investment in the province. Earlier, representatives of the international consortium met chief minister and gave him a briefing on cooperation in solar energy sector.
A very good effort by the Punjab government! By the way, where are the other chief misnisters of the other three provinces? Why can't they also think on the same lines?
Solar energy is free and going waste. The solar equipment from China is extremely cheap as compared to Europe or America. The Chinese companies are also providing finances on easy terms. Why not contact them for manufacturing solar panels, solar cells and maintenance-free batteries. Where are our businessmen? They've contributed for the construction of Sialkot airport. Why can't they chip in a bit for the installation of solar equipment to take at least a portion of the load off the government's shoulders?
Air Commodore ( R ) Azfar A Khan,
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