Solar-powered lampposts

Everyone talks about energy crisis in the country but rarely someone gives solution of the problem.

Pakistan will have had to do some clear thinking in terms of power generation even if the situation had been otherwise.

The world, which is increasingly resources-scarce and polluted, is forcing to make use of greener and more sustainable technologies wherever potential.

Islamabad’s Capital Development Authority (CDA) took an initiative and directed a local manufacturer to install solar-powered streetlights in a portion of the metropolis city.

This step should be commendable by all stakeholders in wide and large, as it will give a new direction to other cities.

The company will install 68 such lampposts under the first phase of the project to light a one kilometer strip of Jinnah Avenue in Blue Area with zero cost.

The providing company will cover the cost of manufacture, installation and maintenance, which will be recovered by renting out advertising space on the street lights.

This appears to be a win-win situation at least on paper. In the next phase, the authority is planning to install 65, 000 solar-powered streetlights across the city. Apparently, this small-scale test is a good method of proving the arrangement and seeing whether it is worth repeating on a larger scale.

Without any doubt, solar energy makes distinguished sense in a country with Pakistan’s climate, and this system is much cleaner and more sustainable than technologies used to keep the national electricity grid powered.

At the time when already working power stations are facing problems, it is wise step to switch over to other resources when it is suitable. The administrators of other cities can take the initiative forward if this project becomes successful in the federal capital.

However, everything depends on the performance of the project and CDA’s capacity to maintain proper oversight.

There are hundreds of examples of projects that look sustainable and efficient on paper but are ineffective in reality. The project will deliver positive outcome if it is completed in transparent and effective way.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=18495

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Apr 10 2012. Filed under Opinion, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.