ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has formally inaugurated a landmark 100MW solar energy project aimed at transforming the energy landscape of Gilgit-Baltistan and improving the lives of millions through clean, affordable, and sustainable electricity.
The project was executed under the supervision of a steering committee constituted by the Prime Minister and led by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari said Pakistan has moved into an advanced stage in the adoption of renewable energy and battery storage technologies, emphasizing that while many countries are still discussing such innovations, Pakistan has already begun implementing them on the ground under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“The world is now writing about battery storage technologies and recommending their adoption, but Pakistan had already initiated planning for these systems months ago and is now implementing them practically,” the minister said.
Under the initiative, 499 public buildings in Gilgit-Baltistan will be shifted to rooftop solar systems, while an 82MW utility-scale solar project will provide clean energy to nearly 1.3 million people across the region.
The minister highlighted that a 66.1MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has also been integrated into the project, enabling solar energy generated during the daytime to be stored and supplied during evening hours to ensure uninterrupted electricity availability.
He further stated that a centralized control and communication system will be established to improve dispatch operations and grid coordination between 82MW of solar generation and 52 hydropower plants already operating in the region, significantly enhancing the efficiency and stability of the overall power system.
As part of the public relief component of the initiative, 58MW solar PV panels will also be distributed free of cost among households, shops, and small businesses through a transparent balloting process, allowing direct public benefit from the project.
Sardar Awais Leghari said the distribution of resources would be carried out strictly according to population ratios to ensure equitable access across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan without favoritism or political recommendations.
The federal minister added that the project would not only help address electricity shortages in the region but would also create employment opportunities, support local businesses, strengthen tourism, and improve the overall quality of life for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
He noted that rooftop solarization under the initiative is expected to be completed by December 2026, while utility-scale solar clusters are scheduled for completion by December 2027.
Highlighting the government’s broader commitment to clean energy and regional development, the minister said previous governments had neglected Gilgit-Baltistan, but the current administration under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is committed to public welfare, regional equality, and modern energy solutions.
Concluding his remarks, Sardar Awais Leghari praised the Prime Minister’s “visionary leadership” and stated that “a prosperous Gilgit-Baltistan is the foundation of a prosperous Pakistan.”
