LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to transition all 43 prisons across the province to solar energy, aiming to cut energy costs and promote green energy.
The Home Department has finalized the plan and submitted it to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for approval following an initial survey conducted with the assistance of the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC).
According to NRTC, the project is estimated to cost around Rs4.35 billion, which is lower than the current annual Rs4.5 billion electricity and gas expenses for Punjab’s prisons. The shift to solar energy is expected to reduce electricity costs by up to 60% and recover the investment within three years, offering long-term financial relief.
The solar transition will be implemented in phases, with the first phase focusing on high-consumption prisons.
Agriculture Solarization Project
Earlier this month, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz launched the Agriculture Tubewell Solarization project through a balloting process in Lahore.
Under this initiative, the government will provide subsidies of:
- Rs500,000 for a 10kW solar system
- Rs750,000 for a 15kW system
- Rs1 million for a 20kW system
In the first phase, 8,000 tubewells will be selected across Punjab for conversion to solar energy, with the process set to be completed by June this year.
The solar initiatives are part of the Punjab government’s broader efforts to promote clean energy and cut energy costs across the province.
