ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was informed on Monday that rooftop solar power systems with a combined capacity of 18 megawatts (MW) will be installed on 499 government buildings across Gilgit-Baltistan by December 2026 under the Federal Government’s 100 MW Solar Energy Project.
The solar installations, which will include battery storage systems, form the first phase of the broader renewable energy initiative aimed at improving electricity supply and reducing dependence on conventional power sources in the region.
Officials also briefed the prime minister that the Planning Commission’s PC-I for the second phase, an 82 MW utility-scale solar power project, has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.
Once completed, the 82 MW solar project is expected to provide reliable electricity to nearly 1.3 million people in Gilgit-Baltistan. Authorities said the initiative will significantly improve power supply, enhance the quality of electricity services and help eliminate load shedding across the region.
The progress update was shared during a review meeting on the 100 MW Solar Energy Project for Gilgit-Baltistan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
Addressing the meeting, the prime minister described the promotion of solar energy as a key pillar of Pakistan’s national energy strategy, aimed at expanding access to clean, affordable and sustainable electricity. He termed the 100 MW solar initiative a special gift from the Federal Government to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed the Power Division to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated timeline and instructed officials to fulfill all responsibilities required for its successful implementation.
He also stressed the importance of transparency throughout the procurement process, directing authorities to ensure that all contracts and purchases are carried out in accordance with established rules and procedures.
To strengthen accountability, the prime minister ordered that all project-related payments be released only after independent third-party verification of completed work.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and senior officials from the relevant ministries and departments.
The 100 MW Solar Energy Project is part of the government’s broader efforts to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy, improve energy security and provide cleaner electricity solutions to underserved and remote regions of the country.
