Amidst escalating electricity costs and inflationary pressures, free solar panels are being introduced in Punjab, Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Mariam Nawaz approved the free solar panel scheme, which was thoroughly reviewed. Mariam Nawaz directed simplifying the scheme’s processes to ensure a swift rollout.
During this meeting, Energy Secretary Naeem Rauf presented a comprehensive briefing on the Chief Minister’s Solar Panel Financing Scheme, which has already commenced with a pilot project. This initial phase includes observing and monitoring the installed solar panel systems at various locations.
The scheme is scheduled for an official launch on August 14, following the successful completion of the test run. Eligibility for participation can be determined by sending one’s bill reference number and National Identity Card number to the number 8800. Following a lottery conducted by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), successful applicants will be notified via SMS. The district administration and DISCOs will verify these applicants’ details.
The scheme will distribute solar panels to over 100,000 users through a lottery system in its first phase. However, eligibility excludes consumers with records of electricity theft, multiple meters, faulty or tampered meters, and defaulted bill payments.
Mariam Nawaz commented on the economic impact of rising costs of essential commodities like flour and electricity, committing to take necessary actions to relieve the citizens. She expressed her desire for every resident of Punjab to benefit from reductions in their electricity bills, noting that Punjab is the only province with a budget surplus of 625 billion rupees, positioning it as a leader in fiscal management and public welfare initiatives.
