Extra steps towards loadshedding pledged: Centre, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ink accord

Federal government on Friday gave assurance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government that extra steps will be taken to resolve loadshedding issues while the provincial government will extend help for recovery of outstanding electricity dues. This agreement was reached between Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Chief Minister KP Pervez Khattak.
After the meeting both the representative of federal government and Chief Executive of KP spoke to the media, in which the later said there were some overall problems in the electricity sector faced all over the country but some KP specific issues need to be resolved at the earliest and on priority.
Water and Power Minister said KP's transmission and distribution issues were of peculiar nature that he would take up with the PM for resolution. He said the Chief Minister had promised to provide full support and security to electricity staff in recovery of bills. "KP was rich provinces with great electricity generation potential from hydropower resources and it was decided that federal and provincial governments would work closely in exploitation of hydropower resources," he added. He said the provincial government had been assured that the KP would not face the situation it underwent last week leading to mass protests.
Chief Minister KP Pervez Khattak said the meeting took place in very cordial and constructive manner and hoped the same spirit would help resolve issues of load shedding, funding and power production very soon. Responding to a question, he said he believed the Kalabagh dam should be constructed with consensus and unless all provinces agree there should be no construction. He said efforts should be made to develop consensus.
He said the KP's grid stations were in poor shape and the fear was that even if the federal government succeeded in improving generation, the loadshedding in KP would continue because of local distribution and transmission problems. Therefore, he said he wanted the federal government or the Wapda to take up upgradation of grid stations on emergent basis so that the challenge was addressed within two years to share the benefit of improved power supply expected in about two years. He said the province had a potential of over 24,000 MW of hydropower generation and he had requested the federal government and the Punjab CM to invest in KP so that additional electricity could be brought into the system in 2-3 years.
He said total electricity requirement in KP was about 2,600 MW but it was currently getting about 2,100 MW but that shortage was not the only issue. Because of poor transmission and distribution system, many areas were facing forced shut downs which was creating serious problems for the government. He said the federal government had promised to ensure an end to force shut downs.
Responding to a question, he said KP produced more electricity than it received and the provincial government was willing to take over Peshawar Electric Supply Company provided it was also given control over its electricity generation. He said the federal government had ordered payment of Rs 7.5 billion to KP on account of net hydel profit for last two years.
He said the government would take all the generation companies, distribution companies and power plants to privatisation. When asked how provinces could set up power plants when regulatory framework did not exist to deliver provincial electricity, the minister conceded the roadblock and said the regulatory bodies would have to move with the fast pace of the government to resolve energy crisis and provide relief to the people.
Responding to another question, he said the electricity theft control was the responsibility of Wapda and the provincial government would provide full support and security to electricity staff to take action against power theft. He said he would give control of three police stations to power authorities who should identify theft and take action in full security of the provincial police.
In reply to another question Khawaja Asif said the government was moving carefully on energy policy keeping in mind the agreement with the international monetary fund and the World Bank who were going to provide funds. He said the policy would be out in 5-10 days. When asked how provinces could set up power plants when regulatory framework did not exist to deliver provincial electricity, the minister conceded the roadblock and said the regulatory bodies would have to move with the fast pace of the government to resolve energy crisis and provide relief to the people.