PESHAWAR: Serious irregularities have surfaced in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government’s ambitious Rs33 billion free solar energy project, raising questions over transparency, procurement practices, and potential favoritism.
According to official documents and expert analysis, the per-unit cost of the solar system remains around Rs204,000, despite significant alterations to the original PC-1 (Project Concept-1), particularly the addition of an “All-in-One” solar solution. Experts argue that the actual per-unit cost should not have exceeded Rs140,000, suggesting possible overpricing and mismanagement.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (KPPRA) has reportedly termed the tendering process as a case of “mis-procurement.” The project was divided into 20 separate packages, of which 18 were awarded to a single bidder without any competition.
In stark contrast, another company submitted a 7% lower bid for two packages in the Hazara Division, yet was not considered for the other packages. This discrepancy further fuels allegations of biased awarding of contracts.
In a concerning development, a chief engineer who opposed the inclusion of the “All-in-One” solar solution was removed from his position, raising suspicions of internal suppression of dissent.
Solar energy experts claim that the “All-in-One” solution, later added to the PC-1 under a specific product code, is manufactured by only one foreign company and has just one authorized supplier in Pakistan. Alarmingly, all but one bidder proposed the same brand and model, indicating possible pre-selection or limited market access.
The revelations cast a shadow over the credibility of one of KP’s largest renewable energy initiatives, which aims to provide free solar power systems to households. The project’s execution and procurement practices now face scrutiny from transparency watchdogs and anti-corruption bodies.
Calls are growing for a comprehensive audit and a neutral inquiry into the tendering process and project execution, with stakeholders demanding accountability and corrective action.
Comments are closed.