Prisons to be converted to solar power

LAHORE:In a major step towards sustainable energy, Punjab’s prisons will be converted to solar power, Inspector General (IG) of Prisons Mian Farooq Nazir announced.

Under this project, all jails across the province, including those in Lahore, will be equipped with solar power systems at a cost of Rs4.5 billion. The installations will be completed and made operational within the current fiscal year.

IG Prisons highlighted that Punjab’s jails currently incur electricity bills amounting to Rs250 million annually. However, the transition to solar energy will recover costs within 1 to 1.5 years, leading to significant long-term savings.

The decision follows a successful pilot project initiated by the Energy Department two years ago, which saw three jails equipped with solar panels. These installations nearly eliminated their electricity expenses, saving the government millions of rupees. The move aligns with Punjab’s broader strategy to adopt renewable energy solutions and reduce dependency on conventional power sources.