Solar power to energize 70 schools

The Punjab government has decided to energize 70 schools of Lahore district with solar power. The government is already in the process of converting schools of South Punjab on solar energy and handsome amount has been allocated for the purpose. Meanwhile, the government has added schools of Lahore district to the list. Out of these 70 schools, four schools of rural areas are also part of the list. As many as 291 classrooms would benefit from the step taken with uninterrupted power supply through solar sources. Sources said the project would cost Rs 68.5 million to the Punjab government.
The government official said that the planning and development department is finalizing PC-1 of the project and the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Authority would be assigned to implement it. Solar energy has become popular in the province of Punjab after passing through severe power shortage throughout the PPP regime. It has successfully installed 100 megawatt solar power capacity in district Bahawalpur. Meanwhile, many street lights in major cities have been converted to solar panels across the province.