Punjab CM approves plan to run govt schools on solar energy

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting on Sunday which approved converting government schools to solar energy under the off-grid solar solution programme.
Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said that more than 4,000 primary schools of rural areas of Punjab will be converted to solar energy in the first phase and a programme had been evolved to install solar panels in primary schools. He said that solar panels would ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to primary schools.
Shahbaz Sharif directed that in the first phase, immediate measures be taken for converting primary schools to solar energy while comprehensive planning should also be made for introducing off-grid solar solution in other schools as well under a phased programme. He said that medium and long-term planning be made for the purpose. “A practicable progrmame should also be devised for the provision of solar home solution to low-income families. Moreover, a practicable project should be presented for converting basic health centers and agriculture tube-wells to solar power,” he added.
The chief minister directed that a pilot project be evolved for the provision of electricity to rural areas from biogas and solar energy and a financial model be developed for generation of energy from biogas and solar power. He directed that agriculture and livestock departments should take joint measures for launching a pilot project by selecting a village at union council level and prospects of introducing the model in Thal should also be considered.
He said that proposals be submitted for evolving a programme for taking steps especially with regard to drip irrigation. The chief minister issued instructions for setting up a committee for evolving final recommendations regarding off-grid solar solution and directed that the committee comprising secretaries of concerned departments as well as experts of financial, technical, micro finance, and Bank of Punjab should present recommendations to him within ten days.
Solar expert from Germany Dr. Grewin Dreesmann and Chief Executive Officer Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Najam Shah gave a briefing regarding off-grid solar solutions.