MULTAN:Punjab Minister for Energy Dr. Akhtar Malik on Monday inaugurated 250 Kw Solar Energy Project here at Bahauddin Zakaria University (BZU).
Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) Wasim Khan Badozai, Ali Raza Bukhari, Qasim Labar and BZU Vice Chancellor Dr. Akbar Kundi were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the inaugural function, Dr Akhtar Malik said the Punjab government was implementing solar energy projects to overcome the energy crisis and get rid of high electricity bills.
Criticizing previous governments, he said the rulers of the past, for the sake of their commissions and financial interests, bargained for the interests of the nation and entered into expensive power deals, and the nation was bearing the brunt for incorrect policies.
He said that during the era of ex CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, expensive projects were inked, adding that electricity was generated from obsolete coal source whereas hydel project in Pakistan could have produced cheap electricity.
The minister informed that the incumbent government had made the energy company Profitable which had been running in deficit for 13 years under the previous government and added that its profit was now being deposited in the national exchequer.
Malik remarked that the implementation of this project would save Rs 10 million annually for BZU.
Similarly, solar energy projects in 43 universities across the province would save Rs one billion annually, the minister said adding that soon a Center of Excellence would be set up at BZU at a cost of Rs 350 million wherein research center, training courses and other modern facilities would be extended, he explained.
Biogas projects were being launched in rural areas to meet the local energy needs while educational institutions, hospitals and courts as well as offices of commissioners across Punjab were also being shifted to solar energy, Malik maintained.
The provincial minister said that the Punjab government was also working on a plan to make waste energy efficient and a source of cheap energy.
He said it was our policy that no project would be launched using imported fuel to provide cheap electricity to masses.