Interest Free Fans
On May 19, 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved this plan, which offers energy-saving fans on interest-free installments through electricity bills in an effort to combat Pakistan’s energy crisis and lower household consumption. It uses high-consumption fans to target households with low and moderate incomes.
Important Features
- Goal: Replace high-consumption fans (70–100 watts) with energy-efficient models (20–40 watts) to reduce electricity costs and grid demand.
- Mechanism: Fans are paid for with easy, interest-free installments (e.g., PKR 500–1,000/month), which can be recouped from electricity bills.
- Target: 70% of domestic consumers who live in households that use 100–300 units per month.
- Savings: PKR 1,260–2,520 at PKR 42 per fan, or 30–60 kWh/month.
- Implementation: Under the direction of the Ministry of Energy, probably via retailers or utility companies (like LESCO and K-Electric).
Procedure for Implementation
Registration can be done through designated centers (TBA), the 8171 portal, or utility companies.
Distribution: Fans that satisfy NEPRA’s 5-star efficiency standards are distributed by utility companies, retailers, or government campgrounds.
Payment: Added to bills, the fan cost (PKR 5,000–10,000) is spread out over 10–20 months.
Verification: Possible biometric checks; requires a current electrical connection and a valid CNIC.
Awareness: Consumer education campaigns via social media, radio, and SMS.
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Anticipated Impact
- Energy: 50 GWh (PKR 2.1 billion) per month could be saved by replacing one million fans.
- Bills: Each fan saves PKR 1,260 to 2,520 per month.
- Economy: Less load shedding, less grid strain, and less circular debt (PKR 2,310 billion in May 2024).
- Environment: Reducing emissions and dependence on fossil fuels (53% of generation)