Federal Urdu University’s Rs. 110M Solar Project Underperforms Raises Accountability Questions

A Rs. 110 million renewable energy installation at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology has come under scrutiny after failing to deliver the expected reduction in power costs and efficiency improvements. Funded through the Higher Education Commission’s Green Energy program, the initiative was originally designed to lower rising electricity bills and generate surplus savings through net metering across university campuses. However, internal reports suggest the system is currently functioning at only around 40–50 percent of its designed output, with no meaningful impact on Karachi campus electricity expenditures over the past year. Officials indicate that administrative bottlenecks, including the absence of required load sanction approvals, have prevented full grid connectivity with K-Electric, making net metering inoperative. In addition, the lack of battery storage has limited the system’s ability to store excess daytime generation, forcing continued reliance on backup generators during outages. Technical concerns have also been raised regarding installation quality, including wiring standards and earthing practices, reportedly supported by visual documentation. The project, which spans 1,050 kWp across multiple campuses, was implemented in phases but now faces questions about planning and execution efficiency. The situation has triggered renewed debate on transparency, oversight, and the effective use of public funds in large-scale green energy transitions in Pakistan’s higher education sector. Authorities are being urged to review performance gaps and ensure corrective measures for long-term sustainability and accountability.