ECNEC approves 100MW solar power project for Gilgit-Baltistan

Islamabad (Web Desk): The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has given its formal approval for a 100-megawatt solar photovoltaic power project aimed at enhancing electricity supply in Gilgit-Baltistan.

This major decision follows prior clearance from the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) and marks a significant step toward addressing the region’s power needs through clean and sustainable energy sources.

The project, with an estimated cost of Rs24,957 million, is scheduled to be completed within a period of three years.

According to the official sources, it will bring substantial benefits to multiple districts across Gilgit-Baltistan, including Astore, Darel, Tangir, Diamer, Ghanche, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunza, Ishkoman, Nagar, Roundu, Skardu, and Shigar. The implementation will be carried out in phases to ensure a smooth and structured rollout of the power supply.

In the first phase, the district of Skardu will receive 18.958 megawatts of electricity.

The second phase will focus on three districts: Hunza will be supplied with 6.005 megawatts, Gilgit with 28.013 megawatts, and Diamer with 13.126 megawatts.

The remaining districts will be covered in the third phase, which will provide a combined supply of 16.096 megawatts of electricity.

This development comes shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visit to Gilgit, during which he announced that the approval process for the project was nearing completion.

 Now that ECNEC has officially endorsed the project, groundwork and implementation efforts are set to begin, signaling a transformative boost for the energy infrastructure in the region.