PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Thursday launched its flagship project “Solarisation of Houses” for providing free as well as subsidised solar energy solutions to deserving households across the province.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur inaugurated the initiative during a special ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House here, according to an official statement.

The event was attended by provincial cabinet members, members of the provincial assembly and government officials.

In the first phase of the project, 32,500 households will receive free solar units, including solar panels, batteries, fans, lights, and other necessary equipment.

The selection process was conducted through an electronic balloting system, following an overwhelming response of over 2.5 million online applications. Overall, the project aims to provide solar systems to 130,000 households, including 30,000 homes in the merged districts.

Out of them, 65,000 will receive solar units free of charge, while another 65,000 households will have access to solar systems at half the price, with the option of easy installment payments.

The total estimated cost of the project is Rs20 billion, and it will be implemented in two phases—65,000 households in the first phase and the remaining 65,000 in the second.

Chief Minister Gandapur said that the initiative was launched to tackle the country’s electricity crisis and prolonged loadshedding, providing much-needed relief to underprivileged communities.

“In line with the vision of our founding chairman, we are committed to providing relief and essential services to the people,” he said.

The chief minister said a welfare state must ensure access to basic necessities for its most deserving citizens.

“Provision of solar units is being conducted through a transparent, electronic balloting system, with priority given to widows, transgender individuals, and other vulnerable groups. Each district is receiving its share based on population proportion, ensuring fair distribution across the province,” he said.

Mr Gandapur said the selection process had been kept free from political or external influence, ensuring transparency and merit-based allocation.

“With over 2.5 million applications, this overwhelming response reflects public trust in our system, and we thank the people for their confidence in us,” he said.

The chief minister said the government was leading in governance and would continue to do so in future as well.

He said the initiative was meant not only to provide uninterrupted electricity to deserving households but also reduce burden on the national power grid.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2025