Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that solar energy is the best source of clean and affordable electricity and the government was committed to investing in this sector.
“It is important to invest in solar energy to develop the economy and reduce fuel imports bill. The government will also encourage the private sector to take measures to boost the solar energy sector”, the prime minister said while chairing a meeting convened to discuss the potential of the solar energy sector.
The meeting was apprised that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will determine the tariffs for big projects of solar energy towards the end of this month, enabling the Alternate Energy Development Board to call bids from investors.
Three solar energy projects under consideration
Three projects for generating electricity through solar energy are under consideration including, 122 MW project in Layyah, 600 MW projects in Muzaffargarh and Trimmu.
The meeting was also apprised of the federal government’s vision of converting buildings into solar energy across the country. It was told that a consultant has been hired for the purpose.
