Sad to note that Pakistan isn't capable of even constructing solar power plants but is more than capable to produce nukes. We need more talented people to start developing our own goods so that dependancy on other western countries is diminished slowly.

It is good that electricity shortage is being addressed. But like the previous person commented I agree that more should be done to manufacture or acquire the technology to build the panels in Pakistan.

Looks a bit expensive for just 150 MW. Is this a grant from Norway or we are paying (in which case I will assume kickbacks were offered)

@AKeenReader your concerns are right.but it needs huge funds to develop that modern technilogy.even India has local solar pannel companies.but when it comes to competiin with foreign manufactureS they cant compete them in cost.they are struggling to get a hold on market with influx of foreign cheap technology Like China and Japan.

Pakistan cant construct its own Solar Power, Pakistan isnt capable to construct any sort of International Standard Electricity to its power grid with all the health and safety. How can Pakistan economy move forward if it cant manage its basic needs. No new manufacturering factories and investment can happen without a basic electricity need.

Economy will not grow if we can't have indigenous solutions.

At least a good beginning !

Nizam Energy ?For 150 MW we need maximum investment of US $ 200 m for solar power.Can someone explain why $300 m and the arrangements.

@AKeenReader : You are right. I know at least five solar power expert who design and install the plants of all sizes in USA for major companies. If asked they will gladly work for Pakistan for much less than a Norway company ". When we will start encouraging & believing in our own people.

Luxury still

In country where with $ 600 million dollars you could have produce heydal power on small scale

Of 1200 MGW

That's equal to the amount of power requires Kpk province for its inhabitant of 20 million .

Where you could have spent that extra Of course in punjab where industry collapse due to power shortage

The best thing about the solar power plants, there is no need for oil or gas which in pakistan created another route for corruption for our oild or gas powered power plants.

Atleast with the solar we will have corruption only the first time and hopefully very little as it generates energy.

I think we just to the pick the lesser of the evil from both of them. I see solar and wind as the souce that can help in longer run in controling the circular debt as well as the long term corruption in power generation.

This photo says it all. Noway, a very rich country but such a simple meeting room. Imagine if this meeting was in Pakistan?

Wish, if these leaders could learn from foreign trips!

@NIZAMUDDIN AHMAD AALI

Manufacturing of solar panels is done through manufacturing plants. A solar panel manufacturing expert cannot do anything until someone is there to invest in a local solar panel manufacturing plant. They cannot make them at home.

The comment section makes me depressed. Always complaining on one thing or another. To the people asking for indigenous solutions, Solar plants are complicated. Local manufacturing won't start without local demand. These projects introduce the technology in the market after which, if its feasible, local experts will start coming in. We can't wait for us to first train the experts, create factories and then build Power plants.

For those advocating Hydroelectric solutions. While they seem attractive, Hydel Dams require a lot of time to build. 5 - 6 years. And that is after they get approved. Need I remind you what happened to Kalabagh. Too much politics involved which is understandable because theys change the landscape so much. Please research the environmental impact dams have.

For those ranting about conventional plants such as Oil, Gas or Coal, 1: They are environmental disasters 2: Their Raw Material supply is not reliable 3: They don't introduce new technologies in the market.

@AKeenReader I agree that self reliance needs to be increased but we are new to this technology instead of spending millions of dollars on research and development of this product at home as well as time which has a huge probability of yielding nothing in the end, the government should set up some and then ask our people to get familiar with these things just as did with others forms of technology in others fields such as defence, power etc.

While Modi today said that India is planning 175 GW of renewal energy. 100 GW in solar and 75 GW in renewal and wind energy.

But why do we need Norway or for that matter any other country to set up solar power plants? Haven't we got any brains in Pakistan? Can't we organize solar panel manufacturing locally and take on the task of planning solar parks and generate electricity? Profits are staring in our face and we are sitting like idiots. Didn't know Pakistani enterpruners were that brain dead!

@Ahmad - Excellent! Wonderfully explained. I am all in favour of it. My earlier comment in approval of solar plants, and excellent way to produce renewable energy, wasn't published.

Min. 10 years. Write it down.

We can't keep relying on dams when our rivers are flowing ever weaker because of climate change ingilgit Baltistan. We need alternative technology, and frankly solar is an expensive but quick solution. Dams and nuclear plants take a decade to build.

More pointless MoU's which aren't worth the paper they are written on.

This is good news, but I believe it would be even better if solar plants are built in Baluchistan. There is more land available, and it will also help alleviate the sense of alienation that the Baluch have. The government should start some of these small projects over there.

neelum jhelum project is suffering because of lack funding. we stand to lose not only electricity, but also water rights over the river, and government is fooling us with gimmicks like these. we have our priorities all wrong

Good show..come out the "shortage of electricity" rut!!!:):)

bring coal powered generators, dig some coal from the huge reserves of pakistan, run machines and give electricity. is that too diffecult to understand???

Unfortunately our institutes of higher learning mostly produce tech coolies and do not nurture an environment of innovation or pure engineering.

@Ahmad makes you sad because it is a sad situation. It should be approx. $1.5 per MW so the price is high. Secondly there is no mention of carbon credits that Pakistan will earn annually from this project. the power generated through this project will be very expensive because of the investment.

If it is build own and operate model than we dam care how much will it cost to Norwegian company, rather our concern is what we will pay per kwh. No words about that just like 21 billion dollar gas deal with Qatar without deciding price. I wonder can these brother make similar deals for their own business?

Dawn could you please tell us how many MOUs have been signed by Nawaz Sharif so far in how many visits abroad.Also what progress on ground.Thank you.