Lahore: Provincial Minister for Energy Punjab, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, chaired a high-level meeting of the energy department and reviewed the progress on the Community Ecosystem-Based mall Hydropower Projects 2026 Framework, the utilization of untapped canal-based hydropower potential for clean and affordable electricity generation, and various renewable energy initiatives across the province.
During the meeting, the Minister was briefed that 40 potential sites had been identified for the development of small hydropower projects on Punjab’s canal network, where projects would be implemented in phases. A proposal to establish a hydropower project on the Lower Bari Doab Canal in Okara was also presented. Appreciating the proposal, the Minister directed the authorities concerned to accelerate practical progress on the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Provincial Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that under the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government was taking practical steps to promote renewable energy and provide affordable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly electricity to the people. He stated that harnessing the untapped hydropower potential of the province’s canal system would not only strengthen energy self-sufficiency but also stimulate economic activity and development in rural areas.
The Minister further observed that community-based small hydropower projects would create employment opportunities at the local level, support small businesses, and contribute significantly to strengthening the province’s energy security. He directed the relevant departments to expedite the implementation of all renewable energy projects so that their benefits could reach the public at the earliest.
The meeting also received a detailed briefing on the final draft of the Punjab Electric Power Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Bill 2026. It was informed that the summary for the establishment of EPRA had already been submitted to the Provincial Cabinet for approval, which would help ensure effective regulation of the power sector, enhance transparency, and promote investment in Punjab.
The participants were further informed that the Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) would provide a single-window facilitation mechanism for small hydropower projects to streamline approvals and expedite project implementation for investors and stakeholders. The meeting was attended by Secretary Energy Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretaries, Deputy Secretaries, heads of the Punjab Power Development Board, and chief executives of all companies operating under the Energy Department.