PTI government is working for cheap electricity generation: Punjab CM Buzdar

LAHORE (92 News) – A ceremony was held at CM Office to sign an agreement between Punjab Power Development Board of Energy Department, Alternate Energy Development Board and Zhenfa Pakistan New Energy Company for setting up the 100-megawatt solar project in Chaubara area of Layyah district with an investment of Rs 10 billion. This project will generate electricity at a minimum tariff of 3.7 cents. Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar and Federal Energy Minister Umer Ayub Khan were the chief guests. MD PPDB, CEO AEDB and CEO of Zhenfa Pakistan New Energy Company signed the letter of support. Addressing the ceremony, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar said that the government was heading towards achieving durable sources of cheap electricity. "The energy needs of Punjab is greater than other provinces due to the size of its population and developing economy. The provincial government is committed to fulfilling energy needs from its resources. Around 70 per cent of total electricity product is used in Punjab and the province pays 82 per cent revenue of the national income generated from the electricity sector," he said. Usman Buzdar said that the PTI government is working for cheap electricity generation as the past government set up expensive energy projects which burdened the masses. He announced that government offices will be converted to solar energy in phases, adding that conversion of 950 BHUs to solar energy is in progress. "Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency is providing technical advice to government institutions and energy conservation building codes have also been compiled which will help in saving money," he stated. He disclosed that proposal is being reviewed to transfer industrial estates, WASAs and orange line train type projects on alternate energy. "The government is facilitating the investors as ample investment opportunities are available in the energy sector. A mechanism has been devised to ensure implementation of energy projects in the minimum of time." The CM stated that 170.30 million unit electricity will be provided to the national grid through this project to fulfill the needs of around 17,000. "Meanwhile, the waste-to-energy project is also being studied by the Punjab government," the CM concluded. Federal Minister Omer Ayub Khan stated that solar project agreement is signed with minimum tariff for which CM Usman Buzdar and his team deserve accolades. "The past governments set up expensive energy projects and poor planning was done in the past but the incumbent government is generating electricity through cheap resources. Net metering will be brought to single-phase as transmission lines have been improved which have the capability to supply 24000-megawatt electricity. Separate tariff for WASAs is also being reviewed," he added. Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, assembly members Ghazeen Abbasi, Sadia Sohail, advisor Dr Salman Shah and energy experts attended the meeting.