Minister urges adoption of solar energy for Balochistan’s tubewells

WEB DESK: The Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has directed the Power Division and the Provincial Government of Balochistan to craft a comprehensive strategy for transitioning agricultural tubewells to solar energy.

The aim is to provide farmers in the province with cost-effective power solutions.

In a high-level meeting chaired by Minister Iqbal, discussions revolved around the conversion of electric agricultural tubewells to solar energy.

The objective is to ensure uninterrupted and economically viable power access for farmers in Balochistan, according to a press release from the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

The meeting saw the presence of Minister for Energy, Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, and Secretary Power Division, alongside senior federal and provincial government officials.

During the session, Minister Ahsan Iqbal stressed the utilisation of all available resources to ensure timely completion of federal development projects. He underscored the government’s commitment to prioritise the well-being of Balochistan’s populace.

Minister Iqbal reiterated the government’s determination to expedite the transition of agricultural tubewells to solar energy.

This move aims to meet the power demands of the farming community in Balochistan while fostering sustainable agricultural development.

In his address, Minister Iqbal highlighted the detrimental effects of electricity theft and non-payment of bills, which disrupt power generation and transmission, leading to load shedding.

He called for legal action against perpetrators of electricity theft and stressed the importance of awareness campaigns to combat this issue and ensure timely payment of bills.

Chief Minister (CM) Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, expressed concerns over the challenges faced by the farming community in the province, including inadequate electricity supply and load shedding, adversely affecting the agriculture sector.

To overcome these hurdles, he highlighted the adoption of alternative energy sources, particularly solar energy, and the implementation of solar tubewells to bolster the agriculture sector’s resilience.

The discussions underscored a concerted effort between federal and provincial authorities to address energy challenges in Balochistan and enhance the livelihoods of its agricultural workforce.

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