BAHAWALPUR: With the completion of work on the second phase of the Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park (QASP) near here, another 300 megawatt electricity has been added to the national grid, says Commissioner Saqib Zafar.

Speaking to Dawn, the commissioner said QASP’s second phase had been recently completed and 300MW diverted to the national grid. He said the execution of third phase, which has the potential to add 6,00MW power to the grid, would be undertaken soon.

QASP’s total capacity was planned to be 1,000MW in 2014; its first phase of 100MW was completed and commissioned last year. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had inaugurated the supply of solar energy of 100MW to the national grid on May 5, 2015. For the completion of the second phase of 300MW solar energy, the solar panels have been installed at 2,000 acre.

The Punjab government acquired a total of 10,000 acre from the Cholistan Development Authority. It has already decided to privatise the solar park.

CONGO VIRUS: The commissioner said an inquiry conducted by a committee to ascertain the causes of recent deaths at the Bahawal Victoria Hospital due to Congo virus had submitted report to the Punjab government.

He said the committee had recommended establishment of a laboratory at the BVH to carry out the blood tests of Congo virus and other infectious diseases.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2016