Punjab government signs €15 million solar energy grant with Germany 

Punjab government has signed a €15 million grant agreement with German Development Bank KfW to support solar energy projects across public-sector institutions in the province.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between a KfW delegation and Punjab’s provincial energy minister to discuss renewable energy initiatives and expansion of solar power in the province.

Under the agreement, the grant will finance solarisation of several government facilities. A total of 24 teaching and tertiary care hospitals and six Danish Schools will shift to solar energy under the programme.

Officials said the project is expected to produce about 21.119 megawatts of electricity from solar installations.

Energy department estimates indicate the initiative could reduce provincial government electricity expenditure by about Rs1.5 billion annually while increasing the share of renewable energy in public-sector operations.

Officials from the energy department and representatives of the German development bank signed the agreement during the ceremony.

During the meeting, the provincial energy minister said provision of affordable and reliable electricity remained a priority for the provincial government. He said energy projects were being monitored through regular meetings to ensure implementation.

Representatives of KfW said they would continue cooperation with the provincial government on development projects in the energy sector.

Officials from the Punjab Energy Department and related institutions also attended the signing ceremony.