Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has inaugurated a home solar system initiative, aiming to address the province’s electricity challenges through alternative energy solutions.
These solar systems, provided by the Chinese government under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), had been stored in warehouses for months. The current administration ensured their transparent distribution and cost-effective installation, reducing the project’s expenditure from an initial Rs350-400 million to approximately Rs120-130 million.
Emphasizing Gwadar’s significance as the “heart of CPEC,” CM Bugti directed that at least 5,000 households in the area be equipped with these solar systems, acknowledging the local community’s contributions to the project’s success.
To further enhance energy accessibility, the Balochistan government plans to incorporate off-grid power stations into its development budget, targeting regions without conventional grid access. Pilot projects are set for Nokundi, Buleda, Sui, Sherani, and Mashkel, with intentions to expand to additional districts subsequently.
In collaboration with the federal government, a Rs 50 billion mega project has been launched to transition agricultural tube wells to solar energy. CM Bugti expressed concerns over the Quetta Electric Supply Company’s inefficiencies causing delays and indicated that the provincial government might independently expedite the solar installations if necessary.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to public welfare, CM Bugti assured the introduction of more energy initiatives for Balochistan’s residents. He also stressed the importance of fair and transparent distribution of the solar systems, preventing misuse by ineligible parties.
