Islamabad: The government has announced plans to establish a 100 MW solar power project in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as part of the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). Official sources revealed that the initiative, aimed at boosting sustainable energy in the region, was approved during a meeting chaired by the Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB.
The solar project will allocate 40 MW for Gilgit and 20 MW each for Skardu, Chilas, and Ghanche, utilizing GB’s existing power distribution infrastructure. NESPAK has been hired to conduct the feasibility study, funded by the GB government, with completion expected by January 31, 2025. The project’s updated PC-1 will be submitted for approval in February, with tenders set to be issued by April 2025.
To ensure quality, a third-party arrangement and a three-year operations and maintenance (O&M) contract are planned. The Minister proposed funding the project through the Prime Minister’s Special Package due to fiscal constraints on PSDP funding, with phased implementation based on annual allocations.
It was decided that GB government would hire a consultant to complete the feasibility study by February 15, 2025. The updated PC-1, along with the study, will be submitted to PDSI through M/o KA&GB by the end of February 2025. The GB government will then initiate the tendering process through a reputable international firm with experience in solar projects by April 2025.
