The World Bank has refused to finance the government plan to distribute free energy savers among the consumers of Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco), well-placed sources told Business Recorder. The project was approved by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro in February this year and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
In his maiden speech in the National Assembly, pledged to provide 10 million energy savers free of cost, as per a distribution criteria that was yet to be drafted. Pepco has already distributed 12,500 energy savers as a pilot project to public sector organisations and hospitals. The sources said when the federal government approached the World Bank and sought funding for the project, the Bank clearly communicated to it that it could not provide funds for this project as it did not approve of the project specifications.
"Pepco is now preparing fresh specifications in light of suggestions given by the World Bank," the sources added. One of the officials, who requested anonymity, told this scribe that the project has not been completed due to internal rift between the Ministry of Water and Power and Enercon, a wing of the Ministry of Environment.
The sources said though Prime Minister Gilani also wanted to distribute energy savers free of cost, Minister for Water and Power, Pervez Ashraf has refused to follow his directives and insists that a reasonable price be charged for these energy savers. Informed sources stated that the Minister for Water and Power in a presentation to the Cabinet on action plan for 100 days said that Pepco had been directed to ensure provision of 10 million energy savers at a reasonable price.
The minister is also of the view that energy savers should only be given to those domestic consumers, who consume 200-300 units per month, excluding other categories. The Cabinet was informed that the campaign launched to save 500MW electricity remained unsuccessful as the target of 220MW saving with the closure of shopping plazas after 8pm, and staggering industrial holidays and ToD meters for tubewells has not been achieved.
However, Pepco has succeeded in saving 350MW electricity through switching off of billboards, alternate streetlights and reducing load of steel furnaces during peak hours. The presentation, a copy of which was made available to Business Recorder, shows that detailed engineering design of Diamar Bhasha Dam will cost $8.52 billion and the tenders would be invited in 2009.
The minister, in his presentation, projected that the capacity of Thar coal power project would be enhanced to produce 5000MW to 20,000MW electricity, but failed to give the action plan. It is learnt that a separate presentation will be made to the Prime Minister next month on Thar coal project. The much talked about 2200MW additional power would be generated by public and private sectors ie Shydo, 81 hydel power, Pepco (public sector) 1427 MW, private sector (PPIB) 615 MW and KESC 405 MW.
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