Sindh government to start work on grid after obtaining licence: minister

The Sindh government is soon starting work on its grid after obtaining a license to provide cheap electricity to the public with one such project of 50 megawatts of solar park, the Sindh Energy Minister told the Sindh Assembly on Friday.

During questions and answers session of the Sindh Assembly, Imtiaz Shaikh, Sindh Energy Minister, said that the World Bank is financing the 50 megawatts of solar park project, which will help off-grid areas of the province to receive electricity. Some 200,000 off-grid houses will be electrified in 10 districts with solar energy, he added.

He said that the Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah has approved some 12 wind-power projects to generate low cost electricity. He pointed out that the cheap electricity can only be produced from wind, saying that solar power generation programme of the Sindh government is in the final stages of preparations. He invited the opposition leader in the assembly to help the government in its efforts.

To a question, the minister said that the government sets up all of its projects through a planning - PC-I. However, he alleged that the federal government had opposed the grid license to Sindh and complained that the federation does not consult with the provincial government on energy matters. He answered that there is only one power supplying company in Karachi and therefore the government procures electricity from it. He said that the Sindh government and K-Electric relationship is only a buyer and consumer.

He said that there are nine sugar mills in the province, which produce electricity, adding that the mills either utilise power themselves for productions or supply the additional amount into the national grid. He vowed that the government will soon introduce a business plan to provide the citizens with cheap electricity. The house also adopted 'The Sindh Charities Registration and Regulations Bill 2019' into law unanimously.