Islamabad, In a significant move to promote sustainable energy, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced plans to solarize 125 educational and health facilities across Pakistan. This initiative, revealed on World Environment Day, aims to provide uninterrupted and affordable energy to both Pakistani and refugee communities, significantly reducing carbon emissions in the process.
According to United Nations Pakistan, the solarization project will include 103 public schools, 16 health facilities, four vocational training centers, and additional critical community infrastructures. This transition to solar energy is expected to save over 5,000 tons of CO2e emissions annually, equivalent to the environmental impact of eliminating the use of approximately 500,000 gallons of diesel or 2,500 tons of unburnt coal each year.
The benefits of this project are already becoming evident. For instance, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s province, the improved energy supply has led to increased school attendance and enhanced learning environments. A refugee child, Amina, shared her experience, noting that the availability of fans and lights in schools has encouraged more girls to attend and engage in educational activities, even after regular school hours.
In addition to the fixed solar installations, UNHCR plans to distribute and install more than 34,000 Solar Home Systems in refugee villages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. These portable kits, which power lights, a fan, and a mobile phone charger, are set to transform the living conditions of families without previous access to electricity.
The initiative also includes the installation of over 300 solar streetlights in remote refugee villages, enhancing safety and allowing for community activities to continue after dark. This effort will be expanded to include more areas, ensuring broader access to secure and sustainable street lighting.
Supporting the technical and sustainable aspects of the initiative, UNHCR is also offering vocational training on solar repair and maintenance and conducting community awareness programs on energy efficiency and environmental protection. Moreover, the project includes the planting of 74,000 new trees in the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Philippa Candler, emphasized the critical nature of the project, linking it to broader climate action efforts. “Given climate change, it is important to find clean energy solutions to address the growing energy needs in the country while mitigating the environmental impact,” said Candler.
This ambitious project is supported by international donors including the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (Germany), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Netherlands, and the United States, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and climate resilience in Pakistan.