The Punjab government has decided to transfer all 43 prisons in the province to solar energy, one step expected to reduce electricity and gas costs by up to 60%.
The plan aimed at tackling rising costs for increasing utilities has been presented by the Punjab Home Department and is awaiting the final approval of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, reported Express News.
An initial study conducted by National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) has estimated that the annual energy costs for Punjab’s 43 prisons have reached a staggering RS4.5 billion.
However, the total cost of transitioning these prisons to solar energy is expected to be less than the annual bills that make the investment a cost -effective solution in the long term.
According to NRTC, the transition to solar energy for all 43 prisons requires an investment of approx. RS4.35 billion.
The phase implementation of the green energy solution will result in a reduction in electricity costs of 60%, giving long -term financial relief.
The investment is expected to be recovered within three years, after which prisons become self -sufficient with energy, reducing the financial burden of the provincial treasury.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department stated that the decision to move to green energy was made in response to record rises in electricity and gas bills in recent years.
The proposal to transition all prisons to solar energy has been submitted to the provincial cabinet with a recommendation to award RS2 billion in the current financial year’s budget to start the project.
