PM orders timely solarization of govt buildings 

Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to complete solarization of government buildings within stipulated time as countrywide solarization project would save foreign exchange by reducing the import of costly fuel, while chairing a meeting to review the measures for energy conservation.

He also instructed the finalization of policy to promote local production of electric motorcycles and solar panels.

Prime minister also called for a comprehensive policy to replace the energy-consuming fans and emphasized to further empower the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) to promote energy conservation.

The participants of the meeting were briefed on 10,000MW solarization project, local production of solar panels and electric motorcycles, installation of conical baffle in geysers and promotion of energy saving fans and bulbs.

It was told that the solarization of 671 buildings was in progress. Another 600 buildings under education ministry had their own budget and the consideration was being made to use the same for solarization. Besides, the process of 11 kilowatt feeders was also in process. The prime minister stated no laxity in the said projects would be tolerated.

The representative of the industries ministry told the meeting that policy for local production of solar panels and electric motorcycles would announced by next month as input on the draft was being sought from different institutions.

It was told that the installation of conical baffles in new geysers had been made mandatory and a strategy to install the equipment in old geysers had also been finalized.

Moreover, the steps had been taken to produce energy efficient fans and bulbs, and by next year the energy consuming fans and bulbs would not be produced.

Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure the execution of the above said measures.

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Engineer Khurram Dastgir and Makhdoom Murtaza Mahmood, State Minister Dr Musadik Malik, Advisor to PM Ahad Cheema, Special Assistant to Prime Ministers (SAPMs) Jahanzeb Khan, Syed Fahad Hussain and relevant senior officers attended the meeting.