Transmission system cannot endure load beyond 15,000 megawatts: National Assembly body told

Ministry of Water and Power on Thursday made shocking revelations that Pakistan''s obsolete transmission system will collapse if more than 15000 MW electricity is transmitted at one time, adding that successive governments did not invest in transmission and distribution system.
In a briefing to the National Assembly''s Standing Committee on Water and Power, Minister of State for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali and Secretary Water and Power, Nargis Sethi acknowledged that corruption has penetrated the entire power system. Sethi who also disclosed that presently there is no mechanism to determine load.
"National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) should determine actual load of each area as the installed transformers cannot bear the overloading and start tripping," she added. She maintained that over the years, successive governments paid attention to generation, demand and supply but not on distribution and transmission system. "Our dependable installed capacity is 19000 MW but our system cannot transmit more than 15000 MW. If current system is not improved it will collapse one day. We have to revamp the entire system including over billing mechanism. A committee alone cannot do this," she continued.
Members of the committee gave a tough time to the Minister and Secretary with respect to loadshedding, over-billing, agriculture tariff and development work. She maintained that the staff (power sector manpower) is not so honest and complained that people also do not cooperate with them. "I have been appointed Secretary Water and Power last month. Please give me a few months I will do my best to resolve fundamental issues," said Sethi, who will retire in December this year.
Minister for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali, said that 25-30 per cent load shedding is being implemented at the time of Sehr and Iftar because of system constraints. He said efforts are afoot to streamline the system and send the corrupt elements behind the bars, adding that detection bills are being issued to consumers to hide theft. Last year, different Discos recovered billions of rupees through detection bills, he added.
"We have taken action against Wapda employees who were found involved in wrongdoings. Recently, Mepco CEO has been replaced because of numerous complaints against him," he continued. He directed Managing Director National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) to expedite work on projects under implementation.
Replying to a question raised by Rao Ajmal regarding agriculture tube-wells'' tariff, Minister for Water and Power stated that the federal government cannot fix flat rate of Rs 10.30 per unit for agriculture tube wells and the rate has to increase by Re 1 to Rs 1.50 per unit if the provincial government does not provide a subsidy; he suggested to the members of the committee to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif and request him to continue subsidising agriculture tariff. He said lakhs of meters are defective across the country, which are being replaced.
He further stated that the Ministry of Water and Power is submitting progress reports to Prime Minister every week. Answering a question on quality and pricing of transformers, Minister of State for Water and Power informed the committee that the incumbent government has dismantle the cartel of transformers manufactures'' who previously sold one transformer at Rs 550,000 and now sell it at Rs 35000 to Rs 400,000. He acknowledged that Discos are facing issues in supply of transformers because local transformer manufacturers have obtained a stay order from the court. In reply to a question regarding arrest of CEO, Lesco, Abid Sher Ali said that FIA is conducting an inquiry into billions of rupee scam and a few officials are already under arrest.