LAHORE, Sept 10: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of the Punjab Energy Council that gave approval to setting up the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park at Lal Sohanra and Dingarh, Cholistan, in Bahawalpur district.

According to a handout, the first phase will comprise immediate construction of the park at Lal Sohanra on over 11,000 acres, where a residential colony, park, dispensary, school, mosque and other basic amenities will be provided.

The target of starting energy production at the Lal Sohanra Park had been fixed from the beginning of next year.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the government was determined to overcome energy crisis, adding besides traditional methods of electricity production, work was in progress on projects of power generation from alternative resources. He said the Punjab government would take lead in the completion of projects generating 100 megawatts of solar energy.

He said in the first phase, projects to generate 1,000 megawatts of solar energy would be set up at Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park in Bahawalpur. He said demarcation had been completed for the establishment of a park at Lal Sohanra and Cholistan and all resources would be provided for their completion. Shahbaz directed to start work on an emergency basis on the 100MW solar project and that the production of electricity should start from the beginning of next year at any cost. He also directed that projects of generation of 400MW should be completed within six months and the complete design of Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park and residential colony be submitted in the next meeting.

He directed the Bank of Punjab to present financial model of the energy projects. He said the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Power Company had been fully authorised to complete the park project expeditiously. He said the Punjab government would complete solar energy projects with its own resources.

He directed the departments concerned to start the process of international bidding. He also directed that besides ensuring standards, weather conditions should also be kept in view in provision of infrastructure at the park.

ENERGY: World Bank Country Director Rachid Benmessaoud met the CM on Tuesday and discussed matters regarding cooperation in energy projects, especially hydropower projects.

CM Shahbaz said Pakistan was faced with serious energy crisis that had left a negative impact on the economy. He said the government was implementing a comprehensive economic agenda for the stability of the economy and measures were being taken for minimising the gap between supply and demand of electricity. He said short-, medium- and long-term plans had been adopted for energy generation.

The CM welcomed the cooperation of the World Bank in hydro projects, especially construction of Dasu Dam. He said the bank should also consider cooperation in the construction of Diamer Basha Dam.

Rachid Benmessaoud said the agenda of economic reforms in Pakistan had revived the confidence of international institutions and the micro-economic situation would improve due to government’s economic policies.

He said there was a need for proper utilisation of Pakistan’s resources. He also said the World Bank would continue to cooperate with Pakistan in energy and other sectors.