President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday stressed the need for evolving a plan on war-footing for increased power supply not only to Karachi, but also to the rest of the country. In this regard, he called for making short, middle and long-term planning with short-term plan to be implemented by June 2007, middle by 2008-09 and the long-term by 2011-15.
He was chairing a briefing held to review power situation in Karachi and the present and future plans of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) in this regard. The meeting held at Governor's House. Senate Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Federal Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Khan Jatoi, CBR Chairman Abdullah Yusuf, Karachi Nazim Mustafa Kamal, Karachi Naib-Nazim Nasreen Jalil, Abdul Aziz Al-Hamad Al-Jomaih, chairman, Al-Jomaih Group, which owns KESC, KESC CEO Frank Schemit and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
The President said he hopes and has confidence in the KESC that it will overcome the obtaining electricity problem and bring improvement in power supply in the city.
In this regard, he said if they would need additional support will be provided to them from Wapda. The President emphasised that a practical power improvement plan be prepared for up to June 2007 so that no problem is faced by 16 million people of this city by then. On the occasion, Abdul Aziz Al-Hamad thanked the President for this meeting and his support to the KESC.
He also thanked the governor and the chief minister of Sindh, City Nazim and related government departments for their support to the Corporation in overcoming the existing power problem. Frank Schemit briefed the meeting about Corporation's present and future plans to overcome the power supply situation through increased generation and improved distribution system.
He said the existing problem was caused by less power generation capacity, gas supply problem, and overloading of distribution network. He said the KESC will start producing additional 500 mw electricity by April 2007 and a total of 750 mw by April 2008, adding this will help overcome the problem of load-shedding while losses being faced, at present, will be overcome with voltage stabilisation.
Frank Schemit said the KESC will be investing Rs 25 billion for this purpose during the next two years and Rs 12 billion in the first year, and remaining in the second year.
The meeting was informed that the KESC is introducing a new software to improve the existing distribution system, while steps are under way for improving the operational system. The President was briefed that by 2008-09, the KESC distribution system will be brought at par with international standard.
It was pointed out that, at present, the KESC is generating 1,300 mw of electricity and deriving 600 to 700 mw by Wapda to meet the supply demand of 2200 mw. The shortfall is being met by IPPs.
As regards the demand for gas supply, the SSGC managing director said the Company will supply 180 mccf gas for additional generation by the KESC and additional 120 mccf will be imported for which Port Qasim Authorities have been approached for handling of imported gas.
The President directed the KESC authorities to plan their supplies to city on the basis of 500 mw supplied by Wapda, saying the people also need to be informed well about KESC planning. He said the people are sensible and understand their limitations and would fully co-operate with the Corporation. He assured the KESC that whatever support would be required, the government will provide them, saying the process of privatisation of the KESC will prove successful.
On reiteration of need for improved distribution system, the KESC CEO said that 20 new grid stations are being set up and by December 2009, the KESC distribution and generation system will be brought at par with international standard.
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