ISLAMABAD, July 3: Federal Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Thursday said alternative energy sources such as wind and solar energy would be exploited to electrify remote localities of Balochistan and Northern Areas.

Talking to Swedish ambassador Peter Tejler, who called on him here on Thursday, the minister said Bangladesh and Nepal’s experiences were being studied in this regard. He informed the envoy that Wapda was planning to start three small hydel power projects on canals in the Punjab on model basis.

In Northern Areas, AJK and Chitral, Aga Khan Foundation has been engaged in constructing small hydropower projects through community participation.

The minister said Wapda had prepared a five-year plan to reduce power losses from 25.7 to 20 per cent.—APP