A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Punjab government and British company Pan Africa in a ceremony, attended by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, British Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Provincial Energy Minister Sher Ali Khan, Members Assembly, Chief Secretary and concerned authorities. Secretary Energy Usman Bajwa on behalf of Punjab government and Marcus Heel on behalf of Pan Africa signed the MoU under which British company will set up a project of 100 megawatts in Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park, Bahawalpur.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that government is taking steps on emergent basis to overcome energy crisis under which agreements have been made for starting various power generating projects with the collaboration of national and international companies. He said that the targets of economic development cannot be achieved without overcoming energy crisis and traditional as well as alternative sources are also being utilized for implementing power generation projects speedily. Shahbaz Sharif said that the method of generating energy through solar is also popularizing all over the world. He said that Punjab government has not only made agreements with different companies for launching energy generating projects through solar under a coordinated strategy but government offices are also being shifted to solar energy under a phased programme. He said that street lights are also being shifted to solar power in big cities. The Chief Minister said that the agreement of setting up solar power project by Pan Africa company in Punjab is a welcoming step. He said that Punjab government will provide all facilities for rapid implementation on this project. He said that due to the solid policies of the present government, the confidence of the investors has restored and they are willing to invest in various sectors including energy. He said that special facilities are being provided to foreign investors in energy sector under one window operation and expressed the hope that these steps will help overcome energy crisis.