Plan to operate 800,000 tube wells on solar energy

LAHORE - In order to overcome the power crisis, the Punjab government has decided to operate tube-wells through solar energy with the cooperation of a German company.
A delegation of International Renewable Energy System led by Alexander Klass met Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at CMs Secretariat here Thursday.
During the meeting, Chief Minister and Mr Klass decided in principle to launch a project to produce and supply solar energy to villages. The German company, according to the agreement, would provide the latter with expertise to launch a solar energy project.
Talking to the German delegation, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is facing energy crisis, which is adversely affecting agriculture, industries and other sectors. He said that Punjab government is working on various projects for the generation of energy from alternate sources including hydel power and coal. He said that agriculture is the backbone of national economy and government is taking solid measures for the uplift of this sector.
He said that tractors are being provided to cultivators on subsidised rates and a huge amount of Rs 2b has been allocated for this purpose. He said that Germany has expertise in solar energy sector and this technology can also be used in Punjab for operating tube wells and supply of power to villages.
He said that there are around 800,000 tube wells in Punjab which can be operated with solar energy for improving the performance of agriculture sector and increasing per acre yield. He said that there are bright prospects of the success of this project in Southern Punjab. He asked German experts to evolve a practicable project for Punjab which is cheap and beneficial to farmers.
He said that the German company should invest in the project on pay and earn basis. He said that Punjab govt will provide all out facilities for this project. He said that the German company should initially provide twelve solar energy panels on experimental basis and after their success, the scope of this project should be extended to 800,000 tube wells. He said that the project of solar energy will be executed in a transparent manner and the German experts should submit their feasibility report as soon as possible.
Klass said that he will soon present feasibility report of the project for the early implementation which, he added, all necessary measures will be taken. Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Irrigation, Vice Chairman Investment Board, Secretary Advisory Council as well as senior officers concerned were present on the occasion.