According to sources, the minister for finance and revenue has been tasked with devising a plan for the early release of solar panels stuck at ports, while a forex buffer will be maintained to ensure the uninterrupted import of solar equipment for the success of the prime minister’s solarisation initiative.
While chairing a meeting to review the progress of energy conservation, according to one source, the prime minister issued eleven directives to various ministries, divisions, and organisations, requiring compliance within the specified timeframe and submission of a progress report to the prime minister’s office.
According to them, the prime minister has ordered 2000 MW of solar power plants to be operational by September 10, 2023, and has asked the Ministry of Industry and Production to finalise the policy for local E-bike manufacture by March 1, 2023.
In the meanwhile, the MoI&P, in cooperation with the finance division and revenue division, should determine the timetable for achieving 100 percent E-Bike manufacturing and supply of ancillary services.
According to the source, the government is making a deliberate effort to reduce the $ 27 billion yearly import cost by implementing energy saving measures.
According to sources, the PM’s office has instructed all relevant ministries and agencies to guarantee compliance, stick to the set dates, and present a progress report to the PMO.
According to one source, among the decisions made by the prime minister during a discussion on a strategic plan for energy saving was the beginning of bids for the first phase of solarisation of government buildings.
The deadline for solarizing federal government buildings has been set for April 30, 2023. In addition, AEDB must verify that all pertinent statistics are finalised by January 15, 2023.
Similarly, the issue of bidding papers for the generation of 2,000 MW of solar energy on 11 KV feeders would be launched to ensure that the projects are commissioned by September 10, 2023.
In addition, the prime minister has instructed the cabinet division to immediately form a committee consisting of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, MNA (convener), Minister for Industries, MoS Finance, and MoS Petroleum to conduct a comprehensive review of “The Regulation of Generation, Transmission, and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997” (as amended up to 2021) and to recommend legislative improvements.
According to sources, the PM has also instructed the petroleum division and Sui companies to instal 550,000 conical baffles in existing geysers by October 31, 2023, and the Science and Technology Division (S&T)/Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to ensure that conical baffles are installed in all geysers currently being manufactured in Pakistan.
The PSQCA should cease manufacturing and selling incandescent bulbs after June 30, 2023, so that the transition may occur without incident.
In addition, the PM has instructed the ministers for the board of investment (BOI), MoI&P, the ministry of science and technology, the power division, and the National Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (NEECA) to ensure that the committee chaired by the minister for BOI provides an update on its meetings with all relevant parties.
Together with the power, S&T, and NEECA divisions, it should also figure out how customers on the lifeline can get new fans to replace the ones they have now.
