Sindh introduces ‘Solar Home System’ project for low-income households

KARACHI: The provincial government of Sindh has started distributing Solar Home Systems (SHS) to 200,000 low-income households, an initiative aimed at promoting renewable energy and eradicating energy poverty.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced the initiative at a function held under the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) near DHA Phase I, Karachi.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stressed the commitment of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to clean energy solutions. He revealed that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has already directed the purchase of 300,000 additional solar units, which will be provided to needy families.

The Chief Minister lamented the obstacles imposed on wind and solar energy projects in the past, saying that such restrictions hinder Sindh’s ability to develop sustainable energy solutions. Despite these obstacles, the provincial government has taken the initiative to set up imported coal power plants to meet its energy needs.

Highlighting Sindh’s important role in solar energy, Murad Ali Shah recalled that in 2014, the government solarized 600 schools in Nagarparkar and launched two 25 MW solar power projects in Sukkur. However, he criticized the federal government’s reluctance to approve additional power generation projects despite the country facing prolonged power outages.

If there is surplus power, why is there load shedding in Karachi and the rest of Sindh? Question to the Chief Minister He attributed the crisis not to energy surplus but to the federal government’s failure in power generation and distribution.

Murad Ali Shah recounted how the federal government had once rejected Thar coal as unsuitable for power generation, which created further obstacles in Sindh’s energy roadmap. He acknowledged former President Asif Ali Zardari’s key role in securing federal support for the Thar Coal Project, ensuring its eventual implementation despite financial and bureaucratic challenges.

“The Thar Coal Project started delivering results in 2018, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari personally supervising the site,” the chief minister said. Today, Thar coal-fired plants are generating the cheapest electricity in Pakistan, disproving doubts.

The Sindh government is now working with federal authorities to build a dedicated railway line to transport Thar coal, further improving energy security.

Sindh Solar Energy Project:

Recognizing the devastation caused by the 2022 floods, CM Murad Ali Shah described the SSEP initiative as a step toward energy self-sufficiency. The program aims to provide highly subsidized solar home kits to eligible families, enabling them to improve their living conditions, children’s education, and small businesses.

Each 6,000 Vera Solar Kit includes:

• 80W solar panels with smart power management
• 18Ah lithium iron phosphate battery for long-lasting energy storage
• Three LED bulbs, mobile charging ports, and a 18-inch DC pedestal fan
• Secure installation framework for durability

The Sindh government is also working with Chinese firms to develop hybrid wind-solar energy projects, including 350 MW and 75 MW projects, which were finalized during Asif Ali Zardari’s recent visit to China.

To further help low-income families, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated the Sindh government’s promise to provide 300 units of free electricity, in line with the PPP manifesto and sustainable development goals. The government aims to complete the distribution of all 200,000 SHS kits by July 2025, with a target of 400 kits per district per week.

30 districts of Sindh will benefit equally from this initiative, with trusted NGOs like HANDS, SRSO and SAFECO overseeing the distribution. The Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) database has been used to ensure that the most deserving households receive the kits.

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah commended the efforts of Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and his team, stressing that the province is committed to leading Pakistan’s transition to clean energy, in collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners.

“The Sindh Solar Energy Project is more than an energy solution – it is a path to a greener, more equitable future, improving lives and securing a sustainable Sindh,” he concluded.