KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial Energy Department to expedite the distribution and installation of Solar Home System (SHS) kits across the province, reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing clean, affordable and sustainable energy to low-income households.
Chairing a review meeting at the CM House on Friday, the chief minister reviewed progress on the Rs18.206 billion Solar Home System Project, launched on the directives of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The initiative aims to provide free solar-powered electricity solutions to 275,000 deserving households across Sindh, covering both off-grid communities and protected on-grid electricity consumers.
The meeting was attended by Senior Minister for Transport and Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Agha Wasif, Energy Secretary Shahab Ansari, Project Director Dadlo Zuhrani and other senior officials.
Officials briefed the chief minister on project implementation, beneficiary selection, district-wise distribution, installation progress and the programme’s expected socio-economic impact.
The Energy Department informed the meeting that the project is being implemented through the Annual Development Programme (ADP) at a total cost of Rs18.206 billion. Each beneficiary household will receive a complete solar package comprising a 180-watt solar panel, a Central Control Unit (CCU) with a 30Ah Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, charge controller, mobile charging facility, a 25-watt DC pedestal fan and three 5-watt LED lights.
The programme will benefit 275,000 households, including 132,000 families in off-grid areas and 143,000 protected electricity consumers across all districts of Sindh.
The chief minister was informed that implementation had gathered pace, with more than 15,000 solar home systems already distributed and installed in rural villages, desert settlements, katcha areas and remote communities across Karachi Division and districts including Sanghar, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Ghotki, Shaheed Benazirabad, Naushahro Feroze, Khairpur, Dadu, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Tando Mohammad Khan, Tando Allahyar, Matiari, Sukkur and Kashmore.
The project, which commenced in April 2025, is scheduled for completion by June 2027.
Officials said beneficiaries under the on-grid component were selected from protected electricity consumers using up to 100 units per month, while the off-grid component targets poor households living in remote, desert, hilly and riverine (katcha) areas. Priority is being given to families registered under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) with poverty scores ranging from 0 to 20.
The meeting was also informed that the National Energy & Transport Corporation Limited (NETC) is supplying the solar kits, while the Sindh Rural Support Organisation (SRSO) is responsible for installation and after-sales services, including a two-year maintenance warranty.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved so far, Murad Ali Shah directed the Energy Department to ensure transparency, efficiency and equitable distribution so that the project benefits reach the most deserving households.
“This project is not merely about providing electricity; it is about improving lives, reducing poverty and creating opportunities for families who have long remained deprived of reliable energy access,” the chief minister said.
He stressed that priority should continue to be given to underserved communities where access to conventional electricity remains limited.
The chief minister also instructed officials to closely monitor installation work, maintain quality standards and ensure timely technical support and maintenance services for beneficiaries. He directed the department to accelerate implementation so that project targets are achieved well within the stipulated timeframe.
Murad Ali Shah said the Solar Home System Project aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to affordable and clean energy, poverty reduction, climate action and sustainable communities.
He noted that the initiative would significantly reduce household spending on kerosene, candles and battery charging while improving public health by eliminating indoor air pollution caused by kerosene lamps. The project is also expected to enhance educational opportunities, extend productive working hours and support home-based economic activities, particularly benefiting women and girls in rural and underserved communities.
