Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Friday said the country was facing 4000 MW to 5000 MW power shortfall due to early advent of summer season and water scarcity while the current electricity production was about 10000 MW against demand of over 15000 MW. He was addressing business community here at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (RCCI) building.
President RCCI Kashif Shabbir, Group leader Mian Pervaiz Aslam, Presidents of Anjaman Tajran, President PPP Tehsil Rawalpindi Tauqir Abbasi and officials of Wapda were also present on the occasion. He said the unscheduled power closure situation would improve a bit within a few days as temperature has just started to soar in Gilgit-Baltistan.
It will help improve water availability situation in Tarbela dam. Furthermore as many as 1000 MW would come into the system by May. Reiterating the installation of Rental Power Plants (RPPs), as an imperative for overcoming the worst power crisis, as all other options, including solar, wind, coal, hydel need a lot of time for the commencement he said RPPs would make power only six percent more costiler.
Rental power projects were being installed by Saudi Arabia and India. Power demand in Pakistan would double by 2015 while Pakistan would need 0.1 million MW power by 2025, he added. Renowned scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand has been assigned to make possible the utilisation of Thar coal reserves within shortest possible time. Work is continuing on 32 dams.
He said the recommendation to close city markets at 8 pm, ending free electricity to Wapda employees, ban on the use of air conditioners in government offices would be conveyed to the prime minister of Pakistan. Responding to a question he said Pakistan will welcome 1000 MW Iranian power immediately - the agreement was inked with Iran in 2006. Time is needed to complete this project. Feasibility study of the project has already been completed.
He said when he took over on March 31, 2008 power deficit was 4141MW. He started trouble shooting immediately. Musharraf froze tariff from 2003-2007 that created Rs 400 billion circular debt, which has paralysed the whole production and distribution system. The issue of circular debt would be resolved as soon as possible, he added.
The government was still paying Rs 55 billion as subsidy to electricity consumers as per unit cost is Rs 10, which is being sold at Rs 6 per unit, he told a questioner. A plan is being finalised to distribute 30 million energy savers free of cost, which will help saving 1000mw power. 250,000 tube wells which consume over 30,000mw power are being converted into solar. While a plan is also being finalised to encourage the sale of solar energy geysers at Rs 20,000 only.
Comments
Comments are closed.