Punjab puts solar tubewell programme on hold pending review

LAHORE: The execution of Punjab’s flagship subsidised solar programme has been temporarily halted pending amendments to its PC-1, a senior official said on Saturday.

Progress on the solar tubewell project is currently stalled as the provincial agriculture department reconsiders the programme’s framework in light of feedback received so far. “A review of the subsidised solar programme is under way within the provincial agriculture department. Once the department completes its appraisal, implementation will resume,” said Secretary of the Provincial Energy Department Dr Naeem Rauf while speaking to The News on Saturday.

He acknowledged that the cost of installing solar tubewells is high when carried out by contractors engaged by the energy department. However, he explained this is because authorised contractors are required to pay taxes, provide one year of operation and maintenance services and cover legal formalities -- costs that private companies often avoid, making their services comparatively cheaper.

In response to concerns over the high costs of solarising tubewells through the energy department, compared to market rates, the government has decided to review the programme afresh. This review may allow farmers to have solar units installed independently by private companies, he added.

When The News raised the issue of execution delays with Punjab’s Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain, he neither confirmed nor denied the allegations. His comments were specifically sought regarding claims that the subsidised solar tubewell project had been mishandled by the energy department, causing delays of several months to the dismay of farmers.

The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) and the Pakistan Solar Association (PSA) have also levelled serious allegations of corruption.

The agriculture minister, however, insisted that the solar tubewell programme remains a top priority for the Punjab government. “For the first time in history, such a large-scale programme to solarise agricultural tubewells has been launched in Punjab,” he said.

Under the scheme, 8,000 diesel- and electricity-powered tubewells will be converted to solar power, providing significant relief to farmers by reducing diesel costs and electricity bills. The minister noted that technical teams had conducted extensive site surveys and designs, and that the import of solar panels and other materials by pre-qualified firms took time. Nevertheless, he claimed the programme’s execution is progressing smoothly.