A delegation of China Zonergy meets Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: A high level delegation of renowned energy company of China Zonergy led by its President Yu Yong met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today. The meeting agreed on speedy progress of 900 megawatt solar project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur.

Talking to the delegation, Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that government is paying attention to nontraditional sources for generating energy. He told that Punjab government is executing 100 megawatt project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur from its own resources and this project will start generating energy in the beginning of next year. He said that energy generating projects are being completed speedily and transparently. He said that import duty on solar equipments and panels has been abolished for facilitating investors.

The Chief Minister said that earliest completion of energy projects is one of the top priorities of the government. He said that 900 megawatt project at Bahawalpur will be completed speedily and Punjab government will extend all out cooperation to Chinese company in this regard. He said that all investment in the solar project of 900 megawatt is of China. Shahbaz Sharif said that all necessary steps including provision of infrastructure have been completed for 900 megawatt solar project at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur. He directed to constitute a joint committee for speedy progress on 900 megawatt solar project. President Chinese Company Yu Yong said that Chinese company will carry out work speedily according to the vision of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for completing 900 megawatt project within stipulated period.

PUBLIC SECTOR AND HOME SOLAR SOLUTION PROGRAMME:  Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting which considered proposals regarding provision of solar home solution at concessionary rates to low-income families and off grid solar solution in public sector. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that vast opportunities of generating energy from solar exist in Punjab. He said that credit of setting up first solar park in Pakistan goes to Punjab government. He said that this solar park has been established at a vast area in district Bahawalpur of South Punjab. Shahbaz Sharif said that PML-N government has abolished import duty on solar panels and equipments for facilitating national and foreign investors so that they should make maximum investment in solar sector. He said that Punjab government is also considering to install solar panels in government offices, schools, health centers, irrigation and agriculture purposes. The Chief Minister directed that all concerned departments should evolve a comprehensive planning with regard to installing solar panels and formulate recommendations for providing solar home solution to low-income families. He said that a practicable plan should also be formulated for converting agri tube-wells and water supply schemes on solar. Shahbaz Sharif while constituting committees led by Chairman Planning & Development and Chief Executive Officer Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Najm Shah for preparing financial model and technical model respectively said that these committees should submit practicable recommendations after considering all aspects.

Later, the Chief Minister also witnessed practical demonstration of running water pump, fans and other items through solar panels imported for domestic use as well as government offices, schools, health centers, irrigation and agriculture purposes and evinced keen interest. President Chinese Company Zonergy Yu Yong, other members of the delegation, Provincial Ministers Rana Mashhood Ahmed, Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, Tanveer Aslam Malik, Advisors Khawaja Salman Rafique, Chaudhry Arshad Jatt, Chairman Planning & Development, concerned secretaries, Chief Executive Officer Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park and other concerned officials attended the meeting.