Pakistan's Railway Sector Embraces Solar Energy with Ambitious Plans

The Pakistani government has launched a major initiative to reduce electricity costs and promote clean energy by switching 37 railway stations to solar power, with plans to further solarize 155 stations across the country. This effort aims to slash annual electricity bills by a significant amount, while also upgrading railway infrastructure to improve services and connectivity. The ambitious plans are expected to transform the railway sector into a modern, energy-efficient system, bolstered by significant investments from the Asian Development Bank.

Key Takeaways:

• The government has already switched 37 railway stations to solar energy, with 28 stations in Punjab and nine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saving Rs163.52 million annually.
• Major Punjab stations, including Lahore Cantt, Gujranwala, and Okara City, have been solar powered, along with KP stations such as Peshawar City and Nowshera.
• The government plans to solarize 155 more stations across the country, including 42 stations that will be completed by December 2025, saving Rs40.4 million yearly.
• Work is in progress to solarize 10 stations in Balochistan, which will save Rs9.18 million annually, alongside 76 more stations that are undergoing financial evaluations, with an estimated cost of Rs198.23 million.
• The solarization effort aims to save Rs113.86 million in electricity bills yearly and promote clean energy, while the government is also upgrading railway infrastructure through various projects.
• The Asian Development Bank is financing a 500-kilometer track upgrade from Karachi to Rohri, and Punjab is dualizing tracks and supporting the Rawalpindi-Lahore fast train project.

Statistics:

• 37 railway stations have been switched to solar energy, saving Rs163.52 million annually.
• 28 stations are located in Punjab, with nine more in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and major stations like Lahore Cantt, Gujranwala, and Okara City are solar powered.
• The government plans to solarize 155 stations across the country, with 42 stations set to be completed by December 2025, saving Rs40.4 million yearly.
• 10 stations in Balochistan are being solarized, aiming to save Rs9.18 million annually.
• Financial evaluations for 76 more stations are underway, estimated to cost Rs198.23 million.
• These projects aim to save Rs113.86 million in electricity bills yearly, with the total estimated cost for the solar projects being Rs463.37 million (Rs163.52m + Rs40.4m + Rs9.18m + Rs250.67m).

Sources:

• The Express Tribune
• Dawn
• Geo News