<p>Pakistan's parliament today became the first in the world to completely run on solar power, a venture supported by close ally China with a whopping USD 55 million funding.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a simple ceremony switched on solar-powered building of the parliament in capital Islamabad.<br /><br />First announced in 2014, the venture has been funded by the Chinese government as an act of friendship, with the solar power plant costing around USD 55 million.<br /><br />"This the first time since independence (1947) that parliament has become self-sufficient in electricity through solar power. Other institutions in private and public sector need to follow it," he said in his brief speech.<br /><br />The project to run parliament on solar power was launched last year when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited and addressed the parliament.<br /><br />China provided over USD 55 million to carry out the project.<br /><br />"This is another example of Pak-China friendship," Sharif said.<br /><br />Chinese ambassador to Pakistan was also present during the ceremony.<br /><br />According to speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, the parliament solar panels will generate 80 MW power.<br /><br />He said 62 MW will be sufficient for parliament while 18 MW will be given to national grid.<br /><br />Pakistan's parliament has become the first in the world to run entirely on solar power.<br /><br />Officials said that there are some parliaments like the Israeli Knesset which are partly run on solar power.</p>
<p>Pakistan's parliament today became the first in the world to completely run on solar power, a venture supported by close ally China with a whopping USD 55 million funding.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a simple ceremony switched on solar-powered building of the parliament in capital Islamabad.<br /><br />First announced in 2014, the venture has been funded by the Chinese government as an act of friendship, with the solar power plant costing around USD 55 million.<br /><br />"This the first time since independence (1947) that parliament has become self-sufficient in electricity through solar power. Other institutions in private and public sector need to follow it," he said in his brief speech.<br /><br />The project to run parliament on solar power was launched last year when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited and addressed the parliament.<br /><br />China provided over USD 55 million to carry out the project.<br /><br />"This is another example of Pak-China friendship," Sharif said.<br /><br />Chinese ambassador to Pakistan was also present during the ceremony.<br /><br />According to speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq, the parliament solar panels will generate 80 MW power.<br /><br />He said 62 MW will be sufficient for parliament while 18 MW will be given to national grid.<br /><br />Pakistan's parliament has become the first in the world to run entirely on solar power.<br /><br />Officials said that there are some parliaments like the Israeli Knesset which are partly run on solar power.</p>