Pakistan Railways to go solar, saving billions

September 12, 2023 (MLN): Pakistan Railways is planning to switch its entire stations’ power network including major railway stations, offices, workshops, and factories to solar systems in different phases which would help to save billions of rupees for the department, as APP reported.

“The step is expected to save Rs1.8 billion in the first phase to the department, later on, more stations, offices, and other facilities will be added in the subsequent phases,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

Initially, in the first phase, he said that Pakistan Railways wanted to switch around 99 formations, including major railway stations, nine divisional headquarters, and other vital offices, to solar power.

Pakistan Railways is going to hire the services of the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) to convert its network to a solar system, he further added.

The official said that the department has decided to shift the railway network to solar energy to eliminate the economic burden of Pakistan Railways.

On the other hand, due to the ongoing energy crisis and the surge in utility bills, PR management has implemented a policy that prohibits its officers from using air-conditioning before 11 am daily.

To note, Caretaker Minister for Energy and Petroleum Muhammad Ali on Monday reassured the government's commitment to supporting solar net metering. 

In addition, he also informed that the government will announce a special tariff for electricity users (Industries) before October 31, 2023. 

Furthermore, the government is presently, working on a special tariff for winters too in order to lessen the burden on energy consumers.

Talking about power theft, he said that the government has started strict measures and actions against those who theft power.

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