Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to shift high-loss electricity feeders to solar energy with the support of local communities and provincial governments to ensure an uninterrupted power supply in remote areas.

Chairing a high-level meeting on solarisation, the prime minister said the move would help reduce losses on poorly performing feeders while providing reliable electricity to underserved regions.

He ordered the immediate launch of pilot projects on high-loss feeders of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO).

The prime minister stressed that consultations with elected representatives and active community participation must be ensured to make the projects successful.

Officials told the meeting that converting these feeders to solar power would enable the creation of low-cost, environmentally friendly and sustainable micro-grids for local populations.

They said local communities, along with provincial and federal governments, would be partners in the initiative.

The meeting was also informed that the project would not only provide cheaper electricity but would also significantly reduce future losses of power distribution companies.

Granting in-principle approval, the prime minister directed that work on pilot projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan be started immediately.