The Punjab government has unveiled plans to convert all 43 prisons in the province to solar energy in an effort to reduce the financial burden of rising energy costs.

The Home Department has finalised the proposal and submitted it for approval to the chief minister.

In collaboration with the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC), the department conducted a survey of the prisons, estimating the total cost of the project at approximately Rs4.35 billion.

This cost is lower than the combined annual electricity and gas expenses of around Rs4.5 billion, officials said.

The phased implementation of the solar energy plan is expected to reduce electricity costs by up to 60%.

The initiative is being driven by the escalating electricity and gas bills, which have soared in recent years.

The Home Department has requested the provincial cabinet’s approval and has recommended allocating Rs2 billion in the current financial year to begin the project.

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Once completed, the shift to solar energy will ensure that Punjab’s prisons become self-sufficient in energy.