PM Shehbaz Sharif announces solar panels for Gwadar’s domestic power consumers

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a big step to resolve the electricity problems in Balochistan especially Gwadar announced to provide solar panels to domestic consumers of the port city. 

Chairing a meeting to review the progress over power transmission lines in Balochistan, the prime minister said the supply of solar panels to domestic consumers would be a gift of the federal government to the people of Gwadar. 

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal a lmd Engineer Khurram Dastagir, DG Frontier Works Organization Major General Kamal Azfar and concerned senior officials. 

The prime minister, in this regard, directed an action plan to be submitted within 10 days. 

PM Sharif also directed a comprehensive off-grid system for the immediate supply of electricity in Gwadar.  

He called for formulation of strategies to set up offshore and onshore wind power projects in Gwadar. 

The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the construction of power transmission lines between Jeewani, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Panjgur and Iran.

PM Sharif emphasized speeding up the work of transmission lines in South Balochistan and ordered completion in December this year. 

The prime minister said delay in completion of projects would not be tolerated.  

He urged the relevant departments to ensure cost-cutting in long term plans. 

He said the government had the responsibility to save people’s money and ensure its proper use.

PM Sharif said uninterrupted power supply would be ensured to make Gwadar port the most modern port in the world. 

The meeting was informed that short term and long term plans regarding transmission lines were being launched.

Within six months, the government will be able to supply Gwadar with an additional 100 megawatts of electricity from Iran.

The total power supply will be 260 MW while the consumption will be 236 MW.

In addition, after the completion of Khuzdar-Panjgur transmission line in December 2022, the 90 MW system will be further enhanced. Work on this project is also in full swing.

It was informed that the feasibility of Hub-Ormara transmission line is being prepared. An additional 200 MW system will be provided after completion of this transmission line.