PM Shehbaz orders immediate pilot projects for loss-making PESCO, QESCO electricity feeders
The federal government has decided to convert electricity feeders operating at high losses to solar energy as part of efforts to improve electricity supply and curb financial losses in the power sector.
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which reviewed the ongoing reforms and strategies of the power sector to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity, especially in remote areas.
The prime minister ordered high-loss feeders to be switched to solar power in coordination with local communities and provincial governments, saying the move would help reduce losses while ensuring reliable power supply in affected regions.
He also ordered immediate launch of pilot projects for deficit feeders of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), highlighting that consultations with elected representatives and active community participation were essential for the success of the projects.
Officials reported at the meeting that converting these feeders to solar energy would lead to the development of sustainable, low-cost and environmentally friendly microgrids, with local communities, provincial governments and the federal government as key stakeholders. They added that the initiative would not only provide affordable electricity but also significantly reduce future financial losses of power distribution companies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz approved the plan and directed authorities to start work on the pilot projects in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan without delay.
