Pakistan Railways Eyes Solar Power in Billion-Rupee Deal with China
ISLAMABD, April 14: Pakistan Railways is set to undergo a major green shift, with plans to switch to solar energy in collaboration with China. This initiative aims to reduce massive financial losses and pave the way for a more sustainable railway infrastructure.
Officials identified 100 initial sites with high electricity consumption, and the switch to solar power is expected to generate annual savings of at least Rs. 1 billion for Pakistan Railways. Negotiations between the Pakistani government and Chinese firms are underway to finalize a practical agreement.
This shift towards solar aligns with Pakistan's vision of achieving high-quality, green, and sustainable development in its transportation sector. To ensure the project's feasibility, Pakistan Railways has commissioned Nespak to conduct a comprehensive study on installing solar panels at designated locations.
In a separate effort to minimize financial burdens, Pakistan Railways has transferred the electricity meters of 16,535 out of 26,660 residential complexes to distribution companies and Karachi Electric. This move has already resulted in cost savings of Rs. 1.3 billion.
