The Ministry of Water and Power will disburse around Rs 4.5 billion per year from the next fiscal for upgradation of the existing power distribution infrastructure and improvement of main transmission lines.
Federal Minister for Water and Power, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao stated this on Friday after the inauguration of bills' payment service jointly launched by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) and Askari Commercial Bank.
He said the Ministry has contacted the World Bank (WB) and international donor agencies to invest in the power sector that would largely improve power distribution system.
Talking about the ongoing power breakdowns in most parts of the country, he said Pakistan has no shortage of electricity as we have more than 1600 MW surplus power but our decades old outdated transmission lines do not allow us to properly distribute it.
Voltage pressure on weak transmission system is forcing Wapda to resort to load-shedding, which ultimately affects the consumers mainly in the remote areas, he added.
Aftab Sherpao also announced the construction of 11 new grid stations in various areas of Islamabad at an estimated cost of Rs 600 million under the Iesco's five-year comprehensive plan.
Federal minister disclosed that Iesco has undertaken the task of electrification of 265 villages at an estimated cost of Rs 685.4 million, which would be completed under Khushhal Pakistan, Tameer-e-Pakistan and Tameer-e-Punjab Programmes.
Iesco has approved the installation of around 7500 new transformers next year in districts Attock, Islamabad, Chakwal and Jhelum to further improve the voltage system, Sherpao said adding that the entity has already provided 1995 transformers in current fiscal year under the annual development plan.
Minister for Water & Power informed the gathering that 4 new 132-kv grid stations would be established in Islamabad to improve the power supply for the industrial consumers besides ensuring maximum connections for industrial units.
He appreciated the tremendous performance done by the Iesco to reduce the line losses up to less than 10 percent.
The Minister revealed Wapda has electrified nearly 73,0000 villages all over the country so far out of total 125,0000, which is not an encouraging, sign.
Speaking at the occasion the Chief Executive Officer Iesco, Brigadier Shahbaz Azam said we are committed to provide maximum facilities to our valued consumers at their doorstep.
He said that Iesco would be made more modernised and public friendly.
President Askari Commercial Bank, Kaleemur Rehman speaking at the occasion said that the Bank would introduce the facility of pre-paid card for payment of electricity bills for those who have no bank account.