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A major solar energy initiative worth Rs. 110 million at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) has come under scrutiny after failing to produce the expected reduction in electricity costs, raising questions about planning, execution, and long-term sustainability of public-sector energy projects.
The project, supported by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) under its Green Energy initiative, was designed to reduce dependency on conventional electricity and generate savings through net metering. However, sources indicate that the system is currently operating at only 40 to 50 percent capacity, significantly below its intended output.
Despite installation across multiple campuses in Karachi and Islamabad, the university has reportedly seen no meaningful reduction in its electricity bills over the past year. The primary reason appears to be the lack of proper grid synchronization with K-Electric, which has prevented full-scale net metering operations.
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According to internal sources, the university did not obtain the required load-sanction approval, which is essential for connecting the solar system to the power grid. As a result, the system remains partially operational, with excess electricity going unused instead of being fed back into the network.
The university is now expected to incur additional costs of around Rs. 8.5 million per campus to complete the approval and connection process. Until then, reliance on traditional electricity and backup diesel generators continues, limiting the environmental and financial benefits of the solar investment.
Another major concern raised involves the absence of battery storage systems, which restricts the ability to store surplus energy for nighttime or peak-demand usage. This has further reduced the efficiency of the installation, despite its large-scale capacity of 1,050 kWp across all campuses.
Allegations have also surfaced regarding installation quality, with claims of substandard wiring and weak earthing systems. While these concerns remain unverified officially, internal documentation and visual evidence circulating among staff have intensified debate over project oversight.
The situation has sparked broader concerns about public sector project management, especially in renewable energy initiatives funded by government institutions. Experts suggest that without proper technical planning, regulatory approvals, and maintenance oversight, even large-scale solar investments may fail to deliver expected outcomes.
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As scrutiny grows, stakeholders are calling for a detailed technical audit and performance review to determine accountability and ensure better utilization of public funds in future green energy projects.