The main building of the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) has officially switched to solar power, becoming the first council in Pakistan to adopt a solar energy system.

This transition is expected to significantly reduce the energy expenses of KMC.

A total of 259 solar panels have been installed at the main building, generating an estimated 650 to 700 units of electricity per day.

The daily electricity demand for the building is around 400 kilowatts, while the solar system installed has a capacity of 150 kilowatts.

The installation, which includes solar panels, inverters, wiring, and structural components, was completed at a cost of Rs 20 million.

Additionally, a license from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has been obtained to operate the solar system in the municipality’s main building.

Earlier to this, KMC announced plans to convert over 9,000 shops in more than 50 markets, including the historic Empress Market, to solar power.

The decision, approved by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, aims to reduce electricity costs and promote environmental sustainability.

During a meeting with the KMC estate department, Mayor Wahab issued directives to initiate the project, starting with Bahadur Shah Zafar Market located at Karachi’s M.A. Jinnah Road.

In addition to the solar power conversion, the project will improve the physical and internal conditions of these markets, with a focus on digitizing records related to shop licenses and other transactions.

The mayor also reviewed the revenue collection performance for the current financial year, setting ambitious targets for 2024 and 2025.