KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday directed the energy department to expedite the distribution and installation of Solar Home System (SHS) kits, saying that the Rs18.206 billion project was aimed at providing clean and affordable electricity to 275,000 low-income households across the province.

Presiding over a review meeting at CM House on the progress of the initiative, he said that the scheme, launched on the directives of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, would cover both off-grid families and “protected” on-grid consumers.

“The objective is not merely to provide electricity. It is about improving lives, reducing poverty and creating opportunities for families who have long remained deprived of reliable energy access,” Mr Shah said.

The meeting was attended among others by Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Energy Secretary Shuhab Ansari and Project Director Dadlo Zuhrani.

Solar energy has lit up around 15,000 homes across Sindh since launch of project in April 2025, meeting told

It was told that each beneficiary household would receive a complete solar package consisting of a 180-watt solar panel, a central control unit with a 30Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate battery, a charge controller with mobile charging facility, a 25-watt DC pedestal fan and three 5-watt LED lights under the project being executed under the Annual Development Programme.

The chief minister was told that of the total 275,000 households, 132,000 were in off-grid areas and 143,000 were protected electricity consumers in on-grid areas.

It was informed that beneficiaries for the on-grid component were being selected from consumers using 0-100 units per month. For off-grid areas, priority is being given to households in remote, desert, Kohistan and katcha areas registered with Benazir Income Support Programme with a poverty score between 0 and 20.

The meeting was informed that the National Energy & Transport Corporation Limited was supplying the kits, while the Sindh Rural Support Organisation was handling installation and providing a two-year maintenance warranty.

The meeting was informed that more than 15,000 solar home systems had been distributed and installed since the project commenced in April 2025.

Installations have been carried out in Karachi’s seven districts as well as in Sanghar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Khairpur, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Kambar-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Sukkur and Kashmore.

The project is scheduled for completion by June 2027.

The chief minister said the initiative was aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on affordable and clean energy, poverty reduction and climate action.

He pointed out that the solar systems would cut household spending on kerosene, candles and battery charging, reduce indoor air pollution and respiratory illnesses, and extend study and work hours, particularly benefiting women and girls.

“Every solar kit installed represents relief from energy deprivation and a brighter future for children and families,” he said, directing officials to ensure transparency, maintain quality standards and accelerate implementation to meet targets ahead of schedule.

Mr Shah also stressed that technical support and after-sales service must be provided to beneficiaries in a timely manner. He reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to expanding renewable energy and ensuring development benefits reach vulnerable communities.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2026