Punjab to shift public institutions to solar power
Minister for energy urges public to replace old electrical devices to reduce bills
APP January 13, 2021
LAHORE:
Punjab government would replace official electricity connections with solar energy to reduce the electricity bills, Punjab Minister for Energy Dr Muhammad Akhtar Malik said on Tuesday while inaugurating the Electricity Saving Programme at the Lahore General Hospital (LGH).
The energy minister revealed that over 95,000 official electricity connections are currently functional in Punjab, adding that government pays Rs36 billion annually for the utility.
He said that old fans and lights must be replaced in public offices with the modern energy saving devices to end power crisis in the country.
Over Rs20m power saving project installed at LGH
Lahore
January 13, 2021
LAHORE:Punjab Minister for Energy Dr Akhtar Malik inaugurated completed Naya Punjab Retrofitting Project in Lahore General Hospital (LGH) here Tuesday.
“The project cost is Rs20.622 million and it will save annual electricity of worth Rs17.04 million. Around 5,061 lights and 1,305 fans have been retrofitted with energy efficient appliances,” the minister said while inaugurating the Electricity Saving Programme at the hospital.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Akhtar Malik said that there were over 95,000 public connections and the Punjab government was paying a whopping Rs37 billion as electricity bill. He said his target was to convert all public sector connections to solar to lower the financial burden on public exchequer. Dr Akhtar said that in the first phase Retrofitting of Islamia University Bahawalpur, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Government College University Lahore and General Hospital was completed
He highlighted,
It would save 700 units per hour and Rs110 million per annum in electricity bills. The saved amount would be spent on the treatment of patients at the hospital.
The PGMI Chief expressed his will to improve practices at LGH per global standards. He suggested that the switch to a green energy source was one of the many steps undertaken to help rank LGH among some of the top institutes in the world.
He also appealed to the energy minister to help expand the area reserved for the hospital.
Responding to the principal’s request, Dr. Akhtar assured that the Federal Government would do what it can with the available resources.