LAHORE: The Punjab government and a Chinese company have entered into an agreement under which the latter, under its corporate responsibility, would be liable to complete various micro schemes related to solar power promotion.

The company, under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, is currently engaged in the construction of nine solar power projects (100MW of each) of the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur, out of which three (300MW) have already been commissioned. One of 100MW has also been completed there by the Punjab government’s energy department after the Bank of Punjab financed it.

The small projects to be completed by the company (Zonergy Pakistan, a subsidiary of Zonergy Limited China) under CSR include initiation of an internship program for Bahawalpur’s public sector universities, solarisation of two Makhdoom Rashid degree colleges (45KW), solarisation of a higher secondary school, Bhaili Multan, (15KW), development of two resource centres for training on solar/RE technologies at universities in Bahawalpur and Multan, installation of solar power plant at the Bahawal Victoria & Nishtar hospitals (500KW /.5MW) and installation of water filtration plant at any suitable vicinity in Bahawalpur.

The ceremony was held at the Minister for Energy Punjab which formalises the project. “With the government’s thrust on renewable energy and the target to build self-sustained state, this is the right time for us to foray into solar energy. This joint venture with Zonergy for the solar project in Bahawalpur is both a significant step for the company towards a balanced energy portfolio and a giant leap towards better future for us a nation,” Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

“This is aligned with our vision of bringing development while leaving less carbon footprint. We are pleased to partner with the company, given their technologically advanced products, EPC capabilities, operations, and maintenance services.”

The company vice president said since the renewable energy sector was witnessing a positive growth, it is committed to providing sustainable and affordable energy for all. “We believe that if Pakistan’s renewable potential is unlocked, it can transform the country’s energy architecture to be dominated by clean energy sources,” he added.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2021