'Five new power plants to start generating combined power of 1,000 megawatts'

Some respite for power consumers is on the cards as the duration of the ongoing dreaded load shedding would start decreasing significantly from January 21 - thanks to the increase in hydal generation and induction of five new power plants.
Director General Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Muhammad Khalid on Monday told a private TV channel that five new power plants including two Rental Power Producers (RPPs) and three Independent Power Producers (IPPs) would start generating a combined power of 1000mw. Moreover, the water availability would improve as a result of increased availability of water to Mangla and Tarbella dams.
The country was enduring a gap of around 2500 mw. The power generation stands upto 11000mw as comparing to a total demand from 11,000 to 13,500 mw. One more aspect should also be kept in mind that this year power demand has also increased upto 3,174 mw as compared to corresponding period last year. The power generation has also increased upto 2000mw this year as compared corresponding period last year, the DG Pepco said.
Less rains are contributed to pressurising the system due to increased usage of tube wells, he said adding that overall 37 percent less rains are recorded this year across the country. While in Punjab upto 96 percent less rains are recorded.
The current duration of load shedding is five hours in cities and 8 hours in rural areas, he said. Responding to a question he said Pepco purchases electricity at Rs 9.05 per unit and the sale rate from July to November 2009 was Rs 5.59. After 12 percent increase in power rates the government is still paying subsidy to consumers.