First solar generation project launched in Pakistan

Pakistan's first-ever solar generation project was formally inaugurated on Tuesday at Bahawalpur city's Quaid-i-Azam Solar Park (QASP) by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif along with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The QASP has been designed to generate 1,000 MW of electricity, Dawn online reported.

The QASP's first unit reportedly went into test run last month and achieved successful results. The generated electricity was being supplied to the National Grid System.

Earlier, the infrastructure for the park, including a boundary wall, buildings and roads were constructed while water was taken to the site from a nearby canal.

The construction work of the first phase of 100 MW was taken in hand last year.

The second and third units of the solar park will generate 300 MW and 600 MW, respectively.

The work on these two units was jointly inaugurated last month in Islamabad by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sharif.

The second phase is expected to be completed in the beginning of next year followed by work on the third phase.