A meeting of the Steering Committee, led by Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, on the conversion of agricultural tube wells to solar electricity.
The Balochistani Chief Minister, the Minister of Power, the Additional Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of the Power Division, the Balochistani Chief Secretary, and the Secretary of the Energy Department, Balochistan, were present at the meeting.
The forum evaluated the state of the government’s project to turn Balochistani agricultural tube wells into solar-powered power plants.
The meeting was told that on February 4, 2025, the Federal Government sanctioned the Government of Balochistan with Rs. 14 billion. The Government of Balochistan disbursed Rs. 12.4 billion until March 1, 2025, according to the Daily Situation Report (DSR) that QESCO provided.
The conference was informed that a 67.4 MW load reduction from these agricultural tube wells was achieved through the retrieval of 2,378 poles and related materials, 2,626 transformers, and 4,539 disconnections.
In addition, the audience was informed that 10,263 agricultural tube wells in Balochistan were illegal, while 27,437 were subsidised. With a total of PKR 564 billion in outstanding receivables, QESCO currently operates 50 feeders that are primarily in the agriculture sector.
In accordance with the idea, the Federal Government and the Government of Balochistan would share the expense of providing PKR 2 million in compensation for each tube well that is susceptible to disconnection.
Third-party solarisation verification would be carried out, it was told. Gob and QESCO were advised to expedite implementation after the chairperson expressed worry about its slow pace.
Read more: 500,000 applications received under Punjab’s tube well solarization program
The initial costs for farmers to solarize their agricultural tube wells in Balochistan can be quite high, even with government subsidies. However, the government is working with financial institutions to provide easy loan schemes to help farmers manage these costs.
Farmers typically pay only 5-10% of the actual cost, with the remaining amount covered by the government. This support aims to make the transition to solar power more affordable and accessible for farmers.
The solarisation of agricultural tube wells in Balochistan offers several benefits for farmers:
- Reduced Electricity Costs:
Solar-powered tube wells eliminate the need for expensive electricity, significantly lowering operational costs.
- Reliable Water Supply:
Solar energy provides a consistent power source, ensuring uninterrupted water supply for irrigation.
- Environmental Benefits:
Solar energy is clean and renewable, reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainable farming practices.
- Government Support:
Farmers receive financial subsidies and easy loan schemes to help with the initial costs of solar panel installation.
- Increased Crop Yields:
With a reliable water supply, farmers can achieve better crop yields, leading to higher income.
Overall, this initiative aims to enhance the livelihoods of farmers while promoting environmental sustainability.