Punjab, Sindh design programs to create solar power culture

Pakistan’s two major provinces-Punjab and Sindh-have embarked on solarization programs focusing on lower-income groups. These initiatives are intended to expand the market for solar energy and attract more families to adopt solar solutions.
Punjab, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Sindh, led by Syed Murad Ali Shah, are severely affected by exorbitant power rates and unreliable supply from public sector utilities, impacting their economies greatly. In response, both provinces have announced programs and packages in their new proposed budgets.
The Punjab government has unveiled a relief package for low-energy consumers in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget. According to the document, the Chief Minister’s Roshan Gharana Program will provide free solar systems to households consuming up to 100 units of electricity, covering all installation costs.
Additionally, Rs 9 million has been allocated to solarize 7,000 tube wells under the Chief Minister’s initiative.
In April, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif chaired a special meeting on the “Light without Electricity Bill: Chief Minister’s Roshan Punjab Program” to discuss technical aspects of 1-kilowatt solar systems for domestic consumers. She emphasized, “The Roshan Punjab Program aims to liberate low-income families from expensive electricity.”
Approving the distribution of 1-kilowatt solar systems to 50,000 households in Punjab, the Chief Minister directed immediate implementation of a pilot project to assess efficiency. She added, “Initially, consumers using up to 100 units of electricity will qualify for the program.”
The Chief Minister was briefed that a 1-kilowatt solar system can power fans, lights, small motors, etc., with up to 16 hours of backup using a lithium iron battery. She stressed the use of state-of-the-art technology and high-quality solar panels, inverters, batteries, and accessories. She further stated, “The scope of solar systems for domestic consumers will gradually expand.”
In Sindh, the provincial government allocated Rs 25 billion in the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25 budget to fulfill a key campaign promise of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari: providing free electricity to underprivileged consumers nationwide upon assuming power.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, also heading the provincial Finance Department, announced the allocation while presenting the budget in the Sindh Assembly. He stated that Rs 25 billion would be spent over the next five years to provide free rooftop solar systems to 2.6 million off-grid households. In the first phase, 500,000 households will receive solar home systems consisting of 100-watt panels, three LED lights, one fan, and six hours of battery storage.
This initiative complements the World Bank-funded Sindh Solar Energy Project, which aims to provide solar home systems to 200,000 households in electricity-deficient areas of the province. Procurement has begun, with the first batch of 50,000 systems expected in Karachi by mid-October this year.
Sindh’s Energy and Planning & Development Minister, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, emphasized that providing free and affordable electricity was a cornerstone of the new provincial budget. He directed the provincial electricity distribution companies not to disconnect low-income consumers for non-payment and to waive outstanding dues for these disadvantaged groups.
Sindh’s Senior Information Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, informed reporters that the proposed solar power project in the new provincial budget would bring electricity to several off-grid villages in the province.