Govt committed for cheap energy deals to resolve energy crisis: Chohan

LAHORE : Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan has said that cheap energy mix based on local resources is be the best solution to the country’s energy needs and the incumbent government is working towards fulfilling this commitment in good faith and in the spirit of national service.   In a statement issued here on Monday, he said that Pakistan’s cheapest solar power project of 100 MW, which has been started with the help of private sector with an investment of Rs 10 billion in Chobara area of Layyah, is of special importance in this regard.  Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan said that the tariff of Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Project was fixed at 14 to 18 cents by the previous regime. Layyah Solar Power Project will add electricity to the national grid at the nominal rate of only 3.7 cents per unit.  He further said that the PML-N had abused the country by banning renewable energy during last two years of its tenure and doled out billions of rupees in the form of commissions for expensive power projects running on imported fuel.   The Punjab Information Minister said that the incumbent government, under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, has thus far started work on 10870 MW hydel power projects while work on Naya Pakistan Solarization Program is underway on war footings.  Elaborating, he said that 15,000 primary schools and 2,400 primary health centers were being shifted to solar energy through this project. So far, about 8,000 schools have been converted to solar energy, with work underway on the rest, he added. He further said that about 60 government universities across Punjab have also started shifting to solar on Esco model.   Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan said that the solarisation of universities would not only provide 60 MW of clean, green and affordable electricity but the project would benefit these universities to the tune of Rs 1 billion annually and Rs 25 billion in the next 25 years. The government will not spend a single rupee on the solarization of universities, he said.