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In a major energy conservation move, the federal government is preparing to launch a nationwide program to replace traditional AC fans with energy-efficient DC fans. The initiative, funded by commercial banks, will allow consumers to obtain loans for upgrading their old fans, with repayments conveniently made through electricity bills.
Dr. Fakhray Alam Irfan, Secretary of Power, announced the program during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Muhammad Idrees. He revealed that key fan manufacturers have been collaborating with the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA) to transition from producing AC fans to DC fans.
Highlighting the urgency, Dr. Irfan stated that the government’s program to replace AC fans with DC fans is set to roll out within the current financial year. The initiative is expected to cut electricity demand by up to 5,000 megawatts (MW), significantly easing the load on the national grid.
Currently, AC fans are responsible for consuming around 388 million units of electricity annually, costing approximately $25 million. The government’s shift toward DC fans is aimed at reducing this heavy burden, supporting energy efficiency, and lowering overall power generation needs.
Beyond the fan replacement initiative, the meeting also reviewed other conservation measures. The Power Minister emphasized the importance of implementing energy-saving building codes across all public sector institutions and encouraged provinces to adopt similar standards. A broader goal was also set — saving $6.4 billion annually by 2030 through the enforcement of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
In addition to energy conservation efforts, the committee discussed challenges like electricity theft, faulty meters in Islamabad, and financial discrepancies at Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO).
Moreover, the committee addressed the upcoming expansion in electricity supply to K-Electric, which will rise from 900 MW to 1,600 MW, potentially easing the government’s subsidy expenses.
