LAHORE: The Punjab Government is considering the establishment of a ‘Provincial Renewable Energy Authority’ to promote renewable energy across the province.
In a meeting chaired by provincial minister for energy Faisal Khokhar, Secretary Energy Dr Farrukh Naveed and other officials gave a detailed briefing on green energy projects and ongoing and new schemes included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2025-26. The meeting emphasized the promotion of hydrokinetic turbines, solar, wind, and bio-energy projects, and proposed the creation of a ‘Provincial Renewable Energy Authority’. During the briefing, it was stated that by December 2027, 21.119 megawatts of solar power will be generated. Under the energy department, 11 ongoing and 18 new development schemes have been included in the plan.
Provincial minister Faisal Khokhar said that achieving self-sufficiency in the energy sector is a top priority of the Punjab government. He announced that all public buildings will be solarised within the next three years and directed officials to present a clear, timeline-based roadmap for all projects. He also instructed that a comprehensive and practical plan be prepared for the solarisation of mosques. The minister added that renewable energy can effectively address the energy crisis.
The meeting was informed that under the Chief Minister Punjab Free Solar Panel Scheme, more than 63,000 solar systems have already been installed, while verification process of over 85,000 consumers has been completed. The Free Solar Panel Scheme is scheduled to be completed by February 2026.
The briefing further stated that plans have been made to solarize 24 teaching hospitals and six Danish Schools across the province, while the solarisation of 52 Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals (THQs) has already been approved. In addition, the installation of solar systems in 355 universities and colleges is underway.
The provincial minister was informed that 164 district and sessions courts across Punjab will be solarised, and solar systems will also be installed at three benches of the Lahore High Court. Moreover, Police Lines Qila Gujjar Singh, Central Jail Kot Lakhpat, and various public sector universities will also be solarised. Furthermore, solar power projects with a combined capacity of 2,770 kilowatts are underway in different government buildings. The meeting was told that progress is being made on the ‘Energy Efficiency and Conservation Programme’ to reduce energy consumption and a labelling scheme for energy-efficient appliances is being introduced. With the support of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), an Energy Registration Portal is also under development.
The provincial minister was also briefed on upgrading the Solar PV Module Testing Laboratory at UET Lahore. Additionally, a project to solarise 17 tube wells in Okara is currently in progress. The commissioning of tube well projects will be completed by February 2026, while the target for completing net metering scheme is June 2026.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
