Around 1,800 megawatts of electricity will be added to power system by the end of this year, Minister of State for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali said on Tuesday. "The addition of nearly 1,700 to 1,800 megawatts electricity will reduce loadshedding across the country. The government is spending billions of rupees to upgrade power distribution system, the Minister said while speaking at a news conference at Wapda house.
The minister said electricity distribution companies had been asked to repair or replace over-loaded transformers and grid stations ahead of summer. "On the directives of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, a special campaign for energy conservation is being launched to mitigate the energy crisis," he said.
Abid vowed that the government is determined to overcome with electricity crisis by the end of 2018. He said that the government had launched a special campaign against power pilferers. We are taking steps to reduce power theft and resolve public issues on priority basis, he said.
Taking credit over resolution of outstanding issue with KP government regarding Net Hydel Profit (NHP), the Minister said PML-N led federal government took bold decision, to settle of Rs 70billion, with KP government on Net Hydel Profit, which he, apparently mentioned that PPP and ANP governments virtually failed to do so. He furthermore said an additional gas quota of 100mmcfd to KP, was also allocated by the ministry concerned.
Flanked by Pesco Chief Anwar ul Haq Yousafzai, and other high ups, he said the government intended to resolve issues with boldness, instead of creating any disputes. He, however, mentioned about the tariff differential subsidy, which stood around Rs 18-19billion in outstanding, dues owed by KP government.
The federal government has claimed the amount on account of the tariff differential subsidy which was eliminated in 2011. However, few people went to court against the elimination of the subsidy. A committee was constituted, comprising on official of Pesco, to meet with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, to discuss the matter, Abid Sher said. He said government is fully committed to resolve all outstanding issues by holding talks, instead of using any force policy.
The Minister said the government was taking steps for up-gradation of power distribution and generation system in KPK. He, especially, mentioned the establishment of 200 megawatts power grid station in Manshera, while a 220 megawatts power grid station would soon completed in Chakdara, which was delayed to lack of land acquisition for this purpose. He also asked the KP government to allocate land for establishment of power grid station in Nowshera, which caused delay for several months.
Regarding the recovery and line losses to Pesco, Abid Sher said a total of 867 feeders, out of which 670 were running by 80 to 90 per cent losses. He said a strategy has been evolved to take on board provincial ministers and MPAs to improve recovery in high losses regions in KP.
The Minister stressed the legislators should hold jirga to settle down the recovery issue. Otherwise, he warned the company will abandon electricity supply to high losses areas in the province. He termed it a national loss, as 99.9 per cent losses unbearable.
He also mentioned about top electricity defaulters. He said some consumers did not pay their utility bills for more than 29 to 40 months, billed worth millions of rupees outstanding against them.
"We will investigate the issue thoroughly, and would take disciplinary action against all relevant Xens and other officials of Pesco, over high dues, pending for longer period, and sought a report within 24 hours into the matter, the Minister said. He further said power supply will be suspended to all defaulters.
Abid Sher said operation will launch from top to bottom against power defaulters to improve recovery of the company. He said they had worked out a comprehensive plan in this regard. He said instructions have been issued to deal with power defaulters with iron hands.
The Minister said the government had given direct benefit to power consumers of Rs 102billion by reduction of tariff. "Different initiatives are being taken by the government to redress the issue of loadshedding. Power generation was 13,500 to 14,000MW during the year 2013-14, but it has now increased to 16,900MW, "he said, adding that 1,320 megawatt from Tarbela Extension-4 and 1,320 megawatt from Sahiwal power plant would be added to the national grid by June 2017, while two new coal power plants would also be made operational by 2017 at Port Qasim. He blamed the previous government got no work done on the transmission lines or new grid stations, which caused losses.
He further added that work on transmission lines at the Neelum Jehlum project would be completed by end of this year, while government was working on several power projects including Satpara, Jamshoro and Guddu to cope with the electricity shortage. He said the steps have been taken to upgrade power distribution system, transmission lines, and improve connectivity across the country. He said that government was dedicated to curbing electricity theft, and a bill was also passed by National Assembly in this respect, he said.
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