Govt to set up solar power projects in Karachi, Jamshoro.

KARACHI -- The provincial government is setting up three 400MW solar power projects in Karachi and Jamshoro with the assistance of the World Bank and 1,462 acres have been allotted for the purpose.

This emerged at a meeting of Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh with a high-level delegation of the World Bank, led by Regional Director Infrastructure Guangzhe Chen.

Official sources said that the meeting discussed solar energy projects in detail in the province.

The energy minister told the World Bank team that the provincial government was setting up three 400MW solar power projects in Karachi and Jamshoro with the support of the bank.

He informed the visiting delegation that 1,462 acres of land had been allocated for this purpose and the allotment of land was included in the agenda of the provincial cabinet meeting to be held next week.

The energy minister said that once the land was allotted, the competitive tariff bidding would be invited through tenders.

He said that due to the recent floods, there was a dire need for solar home systems in rural areas and the provincial government was considering providing 200,000 solar home systems.

Imtiaz Shaikh said that the energy department was sending a summary to the cabinet for consideration and approval for distribution of solar home systems at 90 per cent subsidised rates in rural areas and 50pc subsidy in urban areas.

The World Bank assured its full support for the subsidy amount as per the decision of the provincial government.

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