Punjab government has decided to transition all 43 jails in the province to solar energy, a move expected to reduce electricity and gas costs by up to 60%.

The plan, which aims to address rising utility costs, has been presented by the Punjab Home Department and is awaiting final approval from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Express News reported.

An initial survey conducted by the National Radio and Telecommunication Corporation (NRTC) has estimated that the annual energy costs for Punjab’s 43 jails have reached a staggering Rs4.5 billion.

However, the total cost of transitioning these prisons to solar power is projected to be less than the annual utility bills, making the investment a cost-effective solution in the long run.

According to NRTC, the transition to solar energy for all 43 jails will require an investment of approximately Rs4.35 billion.

The phased implementation of the green energy solution will result in a 60% reduction in electricity costs, providing long-term financial relief.

The investment is expected to be recovered within three years, after which the jails will become self-sufficient in energy, reducing the financial burden on the provincial treasury.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department stated that the decision to move to green energy was made in response to record increases in electricity and gas bills in recent years.

The proposal for transitioning all jails to solar energy has been submitted to the provincial cabinet, with a recommendation to allocate Rs2 billion in the current fiscal year’s budget to kickstart the project.