ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) ambitious Rs33 billion free solar energy project has come under investigation following allegations of inflated pricing and irregularities in the tendering process. The development follows close on the heels of the province’s high-profile Rs40 billion Kohistan corruption scandal.
According to reports, the KP Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (KPPPRA) has declared the project’s bidding process as a case of “mis-procurement,” pointing out serious procedural violations, limited competition, and questionable pricing structures.
Pricing Concerns and Single-Bid Tenders
Despite modifications in technical specifications, the project’s unit cost remained around Rs204,000, which experts estimate should be closer to Rs140,000. Of the 20 packages offered, 18 received only a single bid, suggesting a lack of competitive participation.
One company submitted a 7% lower bid for two packages in Hazara Division, raising further questions about pricing consistency and value for money.
Exclusive Technology Raises Eyebrows
A central point of contention is the inclusion of a specific “all-in-one” solar unit — a technology reportedly produced by only one international manufacturer and available in Pakistan through a single supplier. Critics argue that this may indicate a tailor-made specification that benefits a specific vendor.
This product was included in the original project document (PC-1) with a unique code, sparking suspicions that procurement guidelines were shaped to favor one firm. Former Chief Engineer (Renewable) Khurram Shehzad Durrani had opposed the inclusion of the device, citing fairness and transparency concerns. Despite his stance being validated after bid openings, he was removed from the technical committee and reassigned.
PEDO Denies Wrongdoing
In response to the allegations, the Provincial Energy Development Organisation (PEDO) asserted that the procurement process was conducted within legal bounds. Officials stated that no contracts have been awarded yet and that the specifications, including the all-in-one solar unit, were approved from the outset by the technical committee and PEDO leadership.
PEDO further clarified that the project was expedited under the Chief Minister’s instructions to meet urgent weather-related demands in the region.
Standardisation Committee to Review
As scrutiny intensifies, the KP government is set to convene a Standardisation Committee meeting to formally approve the controversial all-in-one unit. Observers view this move as a potential attempt to validate earlier procurement decisions retroactively.
Once hailed as a transformative step toward renewable energy and public benefit, the solar project now faces growing pressure from stakeholders demanding transparency, fair competition, and a reassessment of procurement practices.
