MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND ENERGY DEPARTMENT FOR SOLARIZATION OF PUBLIC COLLEGES AND BUILDINGS
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Higher Education Department (HED) and the Energy Department, Government of the Punjab, for the Solarization of Public Colleges and Buildings Project. The ceremony was held in Lahore with Mr. Rana Sikandar Hayat, Minister for Education Punjab, as the Chief Guest.
Secretary HED Mr. Ghulam Farid and Secretary Energy Dr. Farrukh Naveed along with Senior officers from both departments, DPI(C), Director Lahore Division and Principals of colleges attended the event.
The project aims to promote renewable energy, cost efficiency, and sustainability in Punjab’s higher education sector. It includes the installation of solar systems and EV charging stations in public colleges for students’ electric bikes.
A total of 355 colleges — 176 Boys’ Colleges and 179 Women’s Colleges — will be solarized in three phases.
Phase I includes 43 colleges and 24 EV stations, Phase II covers 190 colleges and 67 EV stations, and Phase III includes 122 colleges and 44 EV stations.
The total solar capacity exceeds 21,500 kW, generating about 24.5 millions units annually. The project will achieve annual savings of PKR 1,346 millions in electricity costs. The total cost of this project is 2941 millions.
HED building will also be solarized, an 80 kW solar system will also be installed at the new HED Anarkali Building.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Rana Sikandar Hayat said this initiative supports the Chief Minister Punjab vision of a Clean and Green Punjab. He appreciated the joint efforts of both departments for sustainable progress. The project will significantly reduce electricity costs and lower dependence on traditional energy sources by utilizing clean solar power.
It will also promote sustainability and provide eco-friendly EV charging facilities for students across Punjab’s public colleges.
Secretary Higher Education Department, Mr. Ghulam Farid, expressed appreciation to Secretary Energy, Dr. Farrukh Naveed, for the Energy Department’s support and commitment towards the solarization of public colleges across Punjab. He emphasized the importance of timely execution and ensuring complete transparency in the process.
Secretary Energy, Dr. Farrukh Naveed, thanked Secretary HED, Mr. Ghulam Farid, for his leadership and collaboration, assuring full technical assistance and close coordination from the Energy Department.
The joint initiative reflects a shared vision to make Punjab’s public colleges and institutions models of energy efficiency and green development.
