ISLAMABAD: The government has failed to devise any plan to tackle the growing gap in demand and supply of electricity, leading to crippling load shedding and violent protest especially in Punjab province. Sources said that the energy committee presided over by the Finance Minister Dr Abul Hafeez Sheikh has been unable to decide from where the gas would be curtailed to provide additional gas to the power sector.
An official privy to the meeting said that SNGPL and SSGCL have been asked to inform the committee today (Tuesday) after looking into their gas demand and supply position and suggest from where the gas could be diverted to the power sector for narrowing growing electricity shortfall.
One of the proposals was that 260 MMCFD gas could be diverted to the power sector by curtailing gas supply to fertiliser, CNG and other sectors. However, the proposal was reportedly opposed by the Ministry of Petroleum on account of legal aspects for diverting gas from Sindh province as well as for possible reaction from other sectors. The committee said to have decided that Minister for Water and Power, Ahmed Mukthtar and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain would take up the issue of outstanding payments with the provincial governments on account of electricity to stabilise the fiscal position of Pepco. The meeting suggested that action should be taken against distribution companies which are not making electricity payment due to their low recovery.
Some participants of the meeting have reportedly stated that the Punjab province with relatively efficient distribution companies has been facing higher load shedding and diversion of 260 MMCFD gas from Sindh province could improve the situation. The energy committee of the Cabinet would take up the issue of diverting additional gas to the power sector today (Tuesday) after receiving details report from SSGCL and SNGPL on demand and supply position.
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