Government Allocates Rs14 Billion to Solarize Agricultural Tubewells in Balochistan

The federal government has sanctioned Rs14 billion to convert Balochistan’s agricultural tubewells to solar energy, a strategic move to lessen dependency on traditional power sources and curb the mounting circular debt crisis.

At a steering committee meeting led by Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, top officials—including Balochistan’s chief minister and federal energy authorities—evaluated the project’s progress. According to the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco), Rs12.4 billion of the allocated funds had been released by March 1. Qesco, which oversees 50 agricultural power feeders in the province, currently has outstanding receivables of Rs564 billion.

Reports revealed that 4,539 tube well connections, 2,378 electricity poles, and 2,626 transformers have been removed so far, reducing the agricultural sector’s energy burden by 67.4 megawatts. Balochistan houses 27,437 subsidized tubewells, with an additional 10,263 operating illegally.

Under the solarization scheme, farmers will receive Rs2 million per tubewell upon disconnection, with funding split 70:30 between federal and provincial governments. A third-party verification mechanism will ensure smooth implementation. However, concerns were raised over the sluggish pace of execution, prompting Ishaq Dar to instruct the authorities to expedite the process.

This initiative aligns with the federal strategy to manage circular debt, as Balochistan’s agricultural sector has struggled with electricity payments for years. Shifting tubewells to solar energy is expected to alleviate financial strain on both farmers and the government while securing a sustainable power solution for the region.