The Government has announced to establish new power generating plants in Karachi of 540 MW capacity in next six months besides increasing the Supply from Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) to the city up to 500 MW.
Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf announced this while addressing a press briefing after a high-level meeting held here on Monday to discuss the power crisis in Karachi.
Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Syed Naved Qamar; Ambassador at large Salman Farooqui; Federal Secretaries for Water and Power; Finance and Privatisation, Chief Secretary Sindh; Chairmen Wapda, Pepco and Nepra; representatives of National Industries Kuwait and Al-Jomaih Saudi Arabia and other stakeholders also attended the meeting.
Ashraf said that the KESC has been asked to establish a rental power plant of 400 MW capacity in next six months. While the Pepco would also establish a rental plant of 140 MW in Nooriabad area, besides increasing its supply to the city up to 500 MW.
The Minister also announced to constitute three committees over different power related issues including a high-powered two-member committee comprising himself and Syed Naved Qamar to oversee the matters of the KESC and its post-privatisation progress.
However, he dispelled the impression that the government is going to nationalise the KESC saying that the company has depicted a responsible behaviour in overcoming the difficulties of Karachiites.
One of the other two committees, he added, headed by the Chairman Wapda would submit its report within 10 days over the disputed matters between the KESC and Pepco. While, the other would be responsible to make sure the implementation of all the decisions taken by the meeting and would be chaired by the Federal Secretary for Water and Power, he maintained.
Ashraf said that the meeting reviewed the power situation of the city in detail and various measures have been decided unanimously to overcome the energy crisis of the metropolis.
The Minister also appealed the nation to conserve the energy and claimed that the power load shedding would completely be ended in the country after three years by the government's, what he claimed, revolutionary steps.
He was of the view that the closure of markets before 8 pm is necessary for the load management and the energy conservation but maintained that the nation should adopt such measures voluntarily.
Ashraf said that only the consumers of Karachi could save nearly 200 MW by taking conservatory measures. The Minister hinted at launching a media campaign for creating awareness among the masses regarding energy conservation. The minister vowed to work with full commitment and dignity and said that no hindrances in the interests of common people would be tolerated.
He maintained that the country is facing a shortfall of about 3,000 MW as compared to the demand that lies around 10,000 MW. He said that the situation demanded war-footing steps to overcome the crisis.
He charged the past regime of not taking necessary measures for setting up new power plants in view of increasing power demands of the country and said that not even a single MW has been added in power generation during last eight years.
Nasir Al Maani, owner of the National Industries Group Kuwait, the largest shareholder of KESC, said that more time is needed to develop the KESC. He said that his group would make further investment in KESC in coming years adding that the situation would improve in this summer while the load shedding would completely be ended in next summer.
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