Prime Minister Shehbaz orders immediate pilot projects for loss making power supplies from PESCO and QESCO
The federal government has decided to convert power utilities operating at high losses to solar energy as part of efforts to improve electricity supply and curb financial losses in the power sector.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which reviewed ongoing power sector reforms and strategies to ensure uninterrupted power supply, especially in remote areas.
The prime minister directed that feeders with high losses be shifted to solar power in coordination with local communities and provincial governments, saying the move would help reduce losses while ensuring reliable power supply in affected regions.
He also ordered the immediate launch of pilot projects for loss-making feeders of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), stressing that consultations with elected representatives and active participation of the local community were essential for the success of the projects.
Officials briefed the meeting that converting these feeders to solar power would lead to the development of eco-friendly, low-cost and sustainable microgrids, with local communities, provincial governments and the federal government as key stakeholders. They added that the initiative would not only provide affordable electricity but also significantly reduce future financial losses for electricity distribution companies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz approved the plan and directed the authorities to start work on the pilot projects in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan without delay.
