LAHORE: Punjab Energy Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the provincial government has allocated Rs4.30 billion for development expenditure and Rs1.43 billion for non-development expenditure of the Energy Department in the FY2026-27 budget.
The minister said the Punjab energy budget would support renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation measures and public-sector solarization projects across the province.
In a statement issued on June 16, Khokhar said the allocations reflected the provincial government’s focus on energy security, green energy and improved public service delivery.
According to the minister, the Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Program is being implemented at a cost of Rs12.86 billion to promote clean and affordable energy solutions in Punjab.
He said the CM Free Solar Panel Scheme had provided solar systems to 90,000 households at a cost of Rs97 billion. An additional allocation of Rs900 million has been proposed for the programme in the upcoming fiscal year, he added.
Khokhar said solar systems with a combined capacity of 30 megawatts had been installed at 38 WASA sites and 51 tehsil headquarters hospitals under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program. He said the installations were completed at a cost of Rs8.50 billion and were aimed at reducing electricity costs in public institutions.
The minister said the FY2026-27 budget also included several energy reform and conservation measures, including implementation of the Energy Conservation Building Code, establishment of the Punjab Appliance Performance and Energy Lab, public awareness campaigns on energy conservation and industrial facilitation through innovative energy solutions.
He said the combined cost of these new initiatives was estimated at around Rs12 billion.
Khokhar said the measures were expected to support renewable energy adoption, reduce energy costs in public facilities, encourage efficient consumption and help industries access improved energy solutions.
He said the provincial government would continue to focus on energy sector modernization, environmental protection and long-term energy sustainability in Punjab.
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