Azerbaijan ready to invest in Punjab clean energy projects: minister

LAHORE: Azerbaijan has expressed strong interest in mutual cooperation and investment in Punjab’s waste-to-energy, solarisation and biogas projects.

Punjab Energy Minister Faisal Ayub stated this while chairing a meeting in the energy department on Friday. The minister discussed and shared with the participants the progress made during Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s recent visit to Azerbaijan and explored opportunities for international collaboration.

He said Punjab urgently needs a comprehensive and practical strategy, inspired by Azerbaijan’s model, to promote modern waste-to-energy, biogas, clean cooking and alternative energy initiatives. Faisal Ayub stated that the objective of these projects is to provide affordable electricity to the public, ensure stability for industries and establish an environment-friendly energy system across the province.

During the meeting, officials briefed the minister on 31 development schemes included in the energy department’s annual development programme for 2026-27. These projects include 17 ongoing schemes and 14 new initiatives.

The meeting also reviewed plans related to solarisation and energy-efficiency measures in government buildings, educational institutions and the industrial sector. Officials informed the participants that pilot solar park projects under the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Company would be launched in Vehari and Rahim Yar Khan.

In addition, a 132-kV transmission line will be constructed to connect the proposed 50-megawatt waste-to-energy project in Lahore with Sundar Industrial Estate.

Detailed discussions were also held on several major initiatives, including a carbon capture project at the biogas plant in Gujjar Colony Lahore, biogas plants in Punjab’s cattle markets and cattle colonies, geothermal energy pilot projects, energy conservation building codes, industrial energy management systems, clean cooking programmes and an energy literacy campaign.

The provincial minister said the Punjab government is prioritising modern and environmentally sustainable energy projects to ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for future generations.

He added that all available resources would be utilised to modernise the energy sector, reduce electricity costs and promote green energy across the province. The meeting was attended by Energy Secretary Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti, Additional Secretary Majid Iqbal and other senior officials of the Energy department.

Later, inaugurating a pilot project of a modern solar system at Higher Secondary School Thokar Niaz Baig, Faisal Ayub said advanced inverter systems would be introduced in schools across Punjab under the provincewide solarisation programme. He pointed out that more than 11,000 schools in Punjab have already been solarised.

Punjab Power Development Company (PPDC) CEO Adnan Mudassar, while briefing the minister on the project, said the school has been equipped with modern three-in-one 12-kV inverter technology, which will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during load shedding even without battery backup.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026