Sindh to distribute 200,000 solar system kits among low-income families

The government of Sindh is set to distribute 200,000 solar system kits among low-income families.

As many as 200,000 solar home systems (SHS) would be provided to low-income households selected through the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) data in all districts of the province, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah announced on Saturday.

“By the end of October first batch of 50,000 SHS kits would reach Karachi for onward distribution,” he said at the signing ceremony of framework agreements for solar systems at the CM House.

CM Murad Ali Shah said that the Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP) was being executed for Rs27.4 billion with the $100 million financial support of the World Bank.

“The Solar Home Systems would consist of an 80-100W Solar PV Plate, a minimum 18 AH Lithium-ion battery, one DC fan, three LED bulbs and a mobile charging facility,” he said.

He added that the system’s estimated cost was around Rs55,000, including transport, taxes and duties and would be provided to eligible low-income families at around 80 per cent subsidy.

CM Sindh said that the selection of low-income households was made using the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) register of low-income households as the criteria for household eligibility. The poverty scorecard ranging from 21 to 50 has been initially used.

The BISP data ranging from 0-20 are those households, having no capacity to pay at least Rs6,000 for a solar home system kit, CM Murad Ali Shah said and added that these poorest households would be provided solar kits under the Annual Development Program (ADB scheme) of the Energy Department.

The beneficiaries would be charged Rs6,000.