The Punjab government has announced a landmark renewable energy initiative to solarize 355 public colleges across the province, aiming to cut costs and promote clean energy in the education sector.
The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) and the Department of Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Saturday to launch the project, valued at Rs. 2.94 billion. The program will be executed in three phases by 2028, with a total installed capacity of 18,825 kilowatts.
Once fully operational, the solarization initiative is expected to generate 24.47 million units of electricity annually, saving the provincial government an estimated Rs. 1.34 billion each year.
As part of the agreement, 135 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will also be set up within participating colleges, encouraging sustainable mobility and preparing for Pakistan’s growing EV market. Additionally, six other provincial department buildings will be solarized, adding another 2,770 kilowatts of renewable capacity.
Punjab’s Minister for Higher and School Education, Rana Sikandar Hayat, highlighted the government’s focus on fiscal and environmental responsibility:
“Once completed, this initiative will cut energy costs by up to 42 percent and establish a strong green energy culture across Punjab’s public education system,” he said.
The project aligns with Punjab’s broader vision of sustainable development, energy efficiency, and climate action, setting an important precedent for renewable adoption in the education sector.
