Chinese company to set up solar panel manufacturing facility in Punjab

LAHORE: In a significant development, a Chinese solar company has entered into an agreement with the Punjab government to establish a solar panel manufacturing and assembly plant, with the support of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

The deal was formalised with the signing of documents by Chaudhry Shafiq Hussain, Punjab’s Minister for Industry and Commerce, and Alex Heng, President of the South Pacific Region for the Chinese company “Aiko.”

Minister Shafiq Hussain remarked that the Chinese firm will set up Punjab’s first solar panel manufacturing facility. The plant is expected to supply products to the local market as well as for export.

He highlighted that promoting solar energy is the only viable solution to alleviate the burden of expensive electricity on industries and households. Over the past five months, he added, meetings have been held with representatives from 21 foreign companies to advance solar energy.

Several companies have shown interest in investing in this sector in Punjab, and the provincial government has assured full cooperation with companies in the solar energy domain.

Chaudhry Shafiq Hussain also announced plans by the Punjab government to transition 7,000 tube wells to solar energy and provide free or affordable solar panels to low-income families.

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