The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has given the go-ahead for a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Gilgit-Baltistan, marking a major step toward boosting renewable energy in the northern region.
The approval comes just days after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited G-B, where he announced a Rs4 billion relief package for flood-hit communities, along with plans for the solar initiative and a Danish School for underprivileged children.
The Rs24.957 billion project will be rolled out in three phases across several districts, including Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Diamer, Astore, Ghanche, Ghizer, Nagar, Rondu, Shigar, Ishkoman, Darel, and Tangir.
In the first phase, Skardu will get 18.958MW of solar power. The second phase will deliver 6.005MW to Hunza, 28.013MW to Gilgit, and 13.126MW to Diamer. The final phase will supply 16.096MW to the remaining districts. Additionally, 18.162MW of off-grid solar systems will be installed in hospitals and government offices to ease pressure on the main grid.
With formal work expected to start immediately, officials say the project will be completed within three years, helping bridge G-B’s chronic energy gap and strengthening essential services in one of Pakistan’s most remote areas.
