Islamabad: In line with efforts to make Pakistan energy efficient and self-sufficient, the Prime Minister House (PM House) and Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will be converted to solar energy within a month.

PM Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the Energy Task Force earlier today (Thursday) in which measures were discussed to launch solar energy projects in the country.

PM Shehbaz said that such efforts are being undertaken to make electricity cheaper and lessen the burden of inflation on the people.

During the meeting, it was decided that the National Solar Energy Policy would be announced on August 1. However, its implementation would be subject to the approval of the Council of Common Interests.

The meeting decided that the Prime Minister’s House and the Prime Minister’s Office would be converted to solar energy within a month.

The meeting was briefed about the various steps taken for the promotion of solar energy in the country. The proposal to convert fuel-powered power plants in the country to solar energy is among those under consideration. A proposal to produce solar energy is also under consideration.

The meeting was informed that in the next 10 years, solar power plants of up to 1000 MW would be installed on government buildings and tube wells would also be solarized in the country.

A plan is also under consideration to convert tube wells in Balochistan to solar energy with government funding. The government is targeting the conversion of 30,000 tube wells to solar energy at a cost of Rs300 billion.

PM Shehbaz told the meeting that the provision of affordable and environment-friendly electricity to the people is the top priority of the government.

He said that the first comprehensive solar energy policy of Pakistan would be unveiled making electricity generation cheaper.

He instructed the task force to keep provinces apprised of the developments and seek their input. “There should be coordination among the provinces in alternative energy projects.”