Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah announced that Sindh is investing Rs. 25 billion in solar energy projects to provide affordable electricity to low-income groups. Addressing the Sindh Energy Diversity Conference, Shah detailed the expanding solar park in Karachi, Manjhand, and upcoming projects in Sukkur and Larkana. These programs aim to provide consistent and affordable electricity to residential and commercial consumers using renewable resources.
Shah highlighted the role of the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC) and Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA) in efficient and cost-effective clean energy distribution. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to enhancing both conventional and renewable sources, identifying Thar coal, solar, and wind energy as key drivers of affordable power. He noted that Thar coal currently powers over 3 million households.
The conference recommended federal cooperation for Sindh’s renewable energy initiatives to strengthen the national energy mix. It urged Islamabad to streamline policy, address transmission bottlenecks, and support the province in delivering reliable, affordable electricity. Sindh’s decentralized energy approach, encouraging business-to-business clean energy distribution, was lauded as a model for other provinces.
The forum advocated for concessional industrial power supply to increase electricity generation, including utilizing untapped wind potential, for industrial growth and job creation. It called for strategies to ensure a reliable investment environment for long-term renewable projects, especially for international investors like China. Promoting domestic production of renewable equipment was advised to reduce reliance on foreign equipment and create jobs.
Thar coal’s capacity was a central theme. Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company CEO Amir Iqbal explained that Thar coal provides some of Pakistan’s cheapest electricity, trailing only hydropower and nuclear energy, emphasizing its success as a public-private project with social and economic benefits for Tharparkar residents. The Thar Foundation’s community outreach initiatives were commended as a model for corporate social responsibility in energy projects.
Anwarx Solar Energy CEO Anwar Akhlaq stressed the importance of maintaining Chinese investors’ confidence for solar project expansion. Energy expert Engineer Irfan Ahmed and other prominent figures, including Khaleeq Jafri, Ayesha Ahmed, Tariq Ali Shah, Khawaja Nizamuddin Mir, Tufail Khoso, Dr. Nazir Abbas Zaidi, Muhammad Imtiaz, Yasir Hussain, Abdul Rahman, Rizwan Jafri, Yasir Bhambhvani, Nauman Ulvi, and Osama Shaikh, participated in the discussion.
The conference concluded advocating for enhanced intergovernmental collaboration, strengthened public-private partnerships, and energy sector reforms to position clean energy as a driver of industrial revival and financial growth.