Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has mandated the completion of a 100 megawatt solar power initiative in Gilgit-Baltistan within one year.
Chairing a meeting in Islamabad to assess the advancement of the project, the Premier pledged personal oversight to ensure its timely execution. The Prime Minister emphasized the project”s priority status, aiming to provide consistent access to affordable and sustainable electricity for the region. He instructed officials to design climate-resilient infrastructure and confirmed full federal funding for the undertaking, deemed crucial for electrifying Gilgit.
The Prime Minister championed solar energy as the ideal solution to address the prolonged power outages faced by residents of Gilgit-Baltistan and other remote regions. He highlighted the project”s benefits of delivering cost-effective and environmentally sound power. Sharif stressed the importance of incorporating renewables into the energy mix to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on Pakistan. He directed authorities to ensure a dependable power supply from hydroelectric and solar sources in Gilgit-Baltistan to prevent disruptions during inclement weather.
Emphasizing transparency in project implementation, the Prime Minister appointed Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari to chair the steering committee overseeing the project”s development.
The meeting received briefings on the project plan, outlining the establishment of six solar parks in Gilgit, eight in Skardu, and six in Diamer. Additionally, solar installations are planned for 234 buildings in Gilgit, 179 in Skardu, and 66 in Diamer. A real-time monitoring system is being developed to manage battery backup for the project. Details about the construction budget, timeline, and adherence to international standards were also presented.
Prime Minister Sharif had initially announced the project during a recent visit to Gilgit, indicating that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) would soon grant approval for the 100-megawatt power plants.